Artemin, also known as enovin or neublastin, 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 ''ARTN''
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
Artemin is a
neurotrophic factor
Neurotrophic factors (NTFs) are a family of biomolecules – nearly all of which are peptides or small proteins – that support the growth, survival, and differentiation of both developing and mature neurons. Most NTFs exert their tro ...
in the
glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor family of ligands which are a group of ligands within the
TGF-beta
Transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) is a multifunctional cytokine belonging to the transforming growth factor superfamily that includes three different mammalian isoforms (TGF-β 1 to 3, HGNC symbols TGFB1, TGFB2, TGFB3) and many other ...
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 The GDNF family of ligands (GFL) consists of four neurotrophic factors: glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF), neurturin (NRTN), artemin (ARTN), and persephin (PSPN). GFLs have been shown to play a role in a number of biological proce ...
, has been implicated in the structural development and plasticity of several types of neurons, including ventral mesencephalic
dopaminergic neuron
Dopaminergic cell groups, DA cell groups, or dopaminergic nuclei are collections of neurons in the central nervous system that synthesize the neurotransmitter dopamine. In the 1960s, dopaminergic neurons or ''dopamine neurons'' were first ident ...
s. Artemin promotes the survival of newly differentiated neurons after they have undergone terminal
mitosis. 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 neuron
The sympathetic nervous system (SNS) is one of the three divisions of the autonomic nervous system, the others being the parasympathetic nervous system and the enteric nervous system. The enteric nervous system is sometimes considered part of t ...
s 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 and never acts as a
chemorepellent
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 chemica ...
.
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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