CNTF Antibody

Ciliary neurotrophic factor is a protein that in humans is encoded by the CNTF gene. The protein encoded by this gene is a polypeptide hormone andnerve growth factor whose actions have mainly been studied in the nervous system where it promotes neurotransmitter synthesis and neurite outgrowth in certain neural populations includingastrocytes. It is mapped to 11q12.1. In addition to neurotrophic effects on parasympathetic neurons, CNTF was shown to have activities on sympathetic and sensory neurons. It appears not to be involved in motor neuron survival during development and has a trophic influence on degenerating striatal neurons as well as on critical nonstriatal regions. CNTF plays a role in a cardiac signal transduction pathway that regulates obesity-related left ventricular hypertrophy.