neurturin

**Neurturin** is a protein growth factor belonging to the glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) family, classified as a neurotrophic factor and part of the TGF-beta superfamily. It plays a critical role in supporting the survival, development, and maintenance of neurons, particularly midbrain dopaminergic neurons relevant to diseases such as Parkinson's. Neurturin mediates its effects primarily through the GDNF family receptor alpha-2 (GFRα2) and the receptor tyrosine kinase RET, leading to cellular survival signaling and upregulation of tyrosine hydroxylase in the nigrostriatal system. As a protein itself, neurturin has served as a therapeutic transgene in gene therapy clinical trials for neuroprotection and disease-modification in Parkinson's disease, most notably delivered via vectors such as AAV2-neurturin (CERE-120)[1][5][6][3][4][2].

Other names

neurturinNRTNNTN