Anti-Neurturin Antibody

Supports the survival of sympathetic neurons in culture. May regulate the development and maintenance of the CNS. Might control the size of non-neuronal cell population such as haemopoietic cells.

Glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) plays a key role in the conrol of vertebrate neuron survival and differentiation. A novel neurotrophic factor was recently cloned from human and mouse and designated neurturin. (NTN). Physiological responses to NTN require the presence of receptor tyrosine kinase RET and a novel glycosylphosphatidylinositol linked receptor NTNRalpha. The cDNAS encoding NTNRalpha from human, rat, chicken, and mouse have been cloned and referred to as GFRalpha-2, GDNFRbeta, Ret ligand 2 (RETL2), and TGF-beta-related neurotrophic factor receptor 2 (TmR2). NTN forms a complex with GFRalpha-2 and the Ret PTK and activates the RET receptor tyrosine kinase pathway. Both NTN and GDNF can activate the MAP kinase and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase pathways and play a critical role in the development of many neuronal populations.