GDNF family receptor alpha-3 (GFRα3), also known as the

artemin Artemin, also known as enovin or neublastin, is a protein that in humans is encoded by the ''ARTN'' gene. Function Artemin is a neurotrophic factor in the glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor family of ligands which are a group of lig ...

receptor, is a

protein Proteins are large biomolecules and macromolecules that comprise one or more long chains of amino acid residues. Proteins perform a vast array of functions within organisms, including catalysing metabolic reactions, DNA replication, res ...

that in humans is encoded by the ''GFRA3''

gene In biology, the word gene (from , ; "... Wilhelm Johannsen coined the word gene to describe the Mendelian units of heredity..." meaning ''generation'' or ''birth'' or ''gender'') can have several different meanings. The Mendelian gene is a b ...

Function

The protein encoded by this gene is a glycosylphosphatidylinositol(GPI)-linked cell surface receptor and a member of the

GDNF Glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) is a protein that, in humans, is encoded by the ''GDNF'' gene. GDNF is a small protein that potently promotes the survival of many types of neurons. It signals through GFRα receptors, particula ...

receptor family. It forms a signaling receptor complex with RET

tyrosine kinase A tyrosine kinase is an enzyme that can transfer a phosphate group from ATP to the tyrosine residues of specific proteins inside a cell. It functions as an "on" or "off" switch in many cellular functions. Tyrosine kinases belong to a larger cla ...

receptor and binds the

ligand In coordination chemistry, a ligand is an ion or molecule ( functional group) that binds to a central metal atom to form a coordination complex. The bonding with the metal generally involves formal donation of one or more of the ligand's elec ...

. In mouse models of

osteoarthritis Osteoarthritis (OA) is a type of degenerative joint disease that results from breakdown of joint cartilage and underlying bone which affects 1 in 7 adults in the United States. It is believed to be the fourth leading cause of disability in the w ...

, GFRα3 was upregulated in sensory nerves. Treating arthritic mice with monoclonal antibodies that bind to GFRα3 prevents artemin from binding there and signaling pain. Treated mice were able to use their limbs again two hours post-treatment.

Function

See also

References

Further reading