Ciliary neurotrophic factor was first identified as a survival factor for neurons from the ciliary ganglion of chicken embryos. Most of its known actions are restricted to cells of the nervous system, including motor neurons, sympathetic gangion neurons, sensory neurons, hippocampal neurons, and medial septal neurons. CNTF also prevents degeneration of motor axons after axotomy and promotes astrocyte differentiation and oligodendrocyte survival and maturation. Outside the nervous system, CNTF maintains embryonic stem cells in an undifferentiated, pluripotent state. CNTF exerts its actions through the activation of the high-affinity CNTF receptor complex. Ciliary neurotrophic factor is expressed in E. coli.

Purity: ≥ 95% by SDS-PAGE.

M.W.: 22931.1

Ref.: Callard, R., et al. 1994. The Cytokine Facts Book. New York

Heim, M.H., et al. 1999. Receptor Signal Transduction Res. 19, 75-120

Mertani, H.C., et al. 1999. Vitam. Horm. 57, 79-121