Neurturin

NRTN; NTN

Neurturin is a member of the GDNF family of ligands, which include glial cell-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF), Neurturin, Persephin, and Artemin. GDNF family proteins are distant members of the Transforming Growth Factor beta (TGF-beta ) superfamily. Similarly to other TGF-beta family proteins, Neurturin is synthesized as a precursor protein that is cleaved at the dibasic cleavage site (RXXR) to release the carboxy-terminal domain. The carboxy-terminal domain of Neurturin contains the characteristic seven conserved cysteine residues necessary for the formation of the cysteine-knot and the single interchain disulfide bond. Biologically active human Neurturin is a disulfide-linked homodimer of the carboxy-terminal 102 amino acid residues. Mature human Neurturin shares approximately 92% amino acid sequence identity with mouse Neurturin. Mature Neurturin also shares about 40% similarities with the other three members of the GDNF family ligands. Unlike other members of TGF-beta family, bioactivities of all GDNF family ligands are mediated through a unique multicomponent receptor complex composed of high affinity ligand binding component (GFR alpha -1-GFR alpha -4) and a common signaling component (cRET receptor tyrosine kinase). Each member of the GDNF family ligands has its preferred binding protein. Neurturin preferentially binds to GFR alpha -2 but can also bind GFR alpha -1 at higher concentrations. Neurturin had been shown to promote the survival of a variety of neurons including sympathetic, sensory, and central nervous system neurons. Neurturin is expressed in both neuronal and non-neuronal tissues.

Approximately 23.4 kDa

Sterile Filtered White lyophilized (freeze-dried) powder.

> 96% by SDS-PAGE and HPLC analyses.