CNTF (human, recombinant)

Ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) is a member of the IL-6 superfamily of cytokines. It is a class-I helical cytokine that contains binding sites for a complex of CNTF receptor alpha (CNTFRalpha), glycoprotein 130 (gp130), and leukemia inhibitor factor receptor beta (LIFRbeta). CNTF is expressed in the brain, eyes, bone, and liver, as well as in spinal cord glial cells, astrocytes, Schwann cells, and skeletal muscle. It is involved in neuroprotection, neuroinflammation, neurogenesis, metabolism, and bone remodeling and primarily signals through the JAK/STAT pathway. Recombinant CNTF induces neurite outgrowth in chick embryonic dorsal root ganglion neurons and increases neuron survival in chick embryonic ciliary ganglia in vitro. Homozygous knockout of Cntf decreases facial motor neuron number and forelimb grip strength in mice. CNTF also decreases body weight, food intake, and serum insulin levels in ob/ob mice. Serum levels of CNTF are increased in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Cayman's CNTF (human, recombinant) protein can be used for cell-based assays. This protein consists of 214 amino acids and has a calculated molecular weight of 24. kDa.. Protein function: CNTF is a survival factor for various neuronal cell types. Seems to prevent the degeneration of motor axons after axotomy. [The UniProt Consortium]