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 ligands within the
TGF-beta superfamily of signaling molecules. GDNFs are unique in having neurotrophic properties and have potential use for gene therapy in neurodegenerative disease. Artemin has been shown in culture to support the survival of a number of peripheral neuron populations and at least one population of dopaminergic CNS neurons. Its role in the PNS and CNS is further substantiated by its expression pattern in the proximity of these neurons. This protein is a ligand for the
RET receptor and uses
GFR-alpha 3 as a coreceptor.
Role in Axonal Development
Artemin, along with other
GDNF family of ligands, has been implicated in the structural development and plasticity of several types of neurons, including ventral mesencephalic
dopaminergic neurons. Artemin promotes the survival of newly differentiated neurons after they have undergone terminal
mitosis
In cell biology, mitosis () is a part of the cell cycle in which replicated chromosomes are separated into two new nuclei. Cell division by mitosis gives rise to genetically identical cells in which the total number of chromosomes is mainta ...
. Artemin has also been found to support the survival neurons in later stages of development and can enhance neuron growth better than
neural growth factor during later stages of development. Artemin plays an important role in migration, proliferation, and differentiation of
sympathetic neurons during development. However, during target innervation, sympathetic neurons become dependent on
neural growth factor for survival support.
Unlike other secreted guidance cues during development, artemin acts solely as a
chemoattractant
Chemotaxis (from '' chemo-'' + ''taxis'') is the movement of an organism or entity in response to a chemical stimulus. Somatic cells, bacteria, and other single-cell or multicellular organisms direct their movements according to certain chemical ...
and never acts as a
chemorepellent.
Artemin is expressed in smooth muscle cells and secreted along blood vessels and in cells near sympathetic axonal projections so that the sympathetic axons can reach their target tissue cells.
References
Further reading
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External links
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TGFβ domain
Neurotrophic factors
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