CNTFR

Ciliary neurotrophic factor(CNTF) is a member of the cytokine family. It is a polypeptide hormone that have functions in promoting neurotransmitter synthesis and neurite outgrowth in certain neuronal populations. It's actions appear to be restricted to the nervous system. Ciliary neurotrophic factor(CNTF) has biological effects through the activation of a multi-subunit receptor complex, consisting of an extracelluar CNTF binding subunit(CNTFα) and two transmembrane signal transduction proteins: glycoprotein gp130 and LIF receptor. CNTF is considered as a potent survival factor of neurons and oligodendrocytes and may be relevant in reducing tissue destruction during inflammatory attacks. CNTF is also a survival factor for neurons of the peripheral sensory sympathetic, and ciliary ganglia. It has been reported that CNTF could be an agent that has therapeutic potential and possibly induces differentiation of large multipolar ganglionic phenotype in a subset of progenitors.

CNTFR Related Areas

Neuroscience>>Neurotrophic Factor & Receptor>>Other Neurotrophic Factors>>CNTFR

CNTFR Alternative Names

RP11-296L22.1, CNTF receptor subunit alpha, CNTFR-alpha [Homo sapiens]

CNTF receptor subunit alpha, CNTFR alpha, CNTFR-alpha, ciliary neurotrophic factor receptor alpha, ciliary neurotrophic factor receptor subunit alpha [Rattus norvegicus]

Summaries for CNTFR

Entrez Gene summary for CNTFR:

This gene encodes a member of the type 1 cytokine receptor family. The encoded protein is the ligand-specific component of a tripartite receptor for ciliary neurotrophic factor, which plays a critical role in neuronal cell survival, differentiation and gene expression. Binding of ciliary neurotrophic factor to the encoded protein recruits the transmembrane components of the receptor, gp130 and leukemia inhibitory factor receptor, facilitating signal transduction. Single nucleotide polymorphisms in this gene may be associated with variations in muscle strength, as well as early onset of eating disorders. Alternatively spliced transcript variants have been observed for this gene.

OMIM - description for CNTFR:

Although mice that are homozygous for an inactivated CNTF gene develop normally and initially thrive and only later in adulthood exhibit very mild loss of motor neurons with resulting minor muscle weakness, DeChiara et al. (1995) found that mice homozygous for 'knockout' of the CNTFR gene died perinatally and displayed severe motor neuron deficits. Thus, the authors concluded that CNTFR is critical for the developing nervous system, most likely by serving as a receptor for a second, developmentally important, CNTF-like ligand.

Wikipedia summary for CNTFR:

The ciliary neurotrophic factor receptor also known as CNTFR binds the ciliary neurotrophic factor. This receptor and its cognate ligand support the survival of neurons. This receptor is most closely related to the interleukin-6 receptor. This receptor possesses an unusual attachment to the cell membrane through a glycophosphatidylinositol linkage.

Human CNTFR Protein General Information

 

• Protein names: Recommended name: Ciliary neurotrophic factor receptor subunit alpha Short name=CNTF receptor subunit alpha Short name=CNTFR-alpha
• Sequence length: 372 AA.
• Domain: The WSXWS motif appears to be necessary for proper protein folding and thereby efficient intracellular transport and cell-surface receptor binding.
• Sequence similarities: Belongs to the type I cytokine receptor family. Type 3 subfamily. Contains 2 fibronectin type-III domains. Contains 1 Ig-like C2-type (immunoglobulin-like) domain.
• Subunit structure: Heterotrimer of the alpha subunit, LIFR and IL6ST.
• Subcellular location: Cell membrane; Lipid-anchor › GPI-anchor.
• Tissue specificity: Nervous system and skeletal muscle.

General information above from UniProt

Function for CNTFR Protein

UniProtKB:

Binds to CNTF. The alpha subunit provides the receptor specificity.

Genatlas:

• hematopoeitin/interferon-class receptor, inducing the secretion and required for functional responses to cardiotrophin-like cytokine
• both CNTFR and IL27RA may be involved in MTRNR2L1 binding to cells

Homology for human CNTFR

• homolog to murine Cntfr

Drugs for CNTFR

Target	Drug Name	Disease	Drug Status
CNTFR	CNTF		Obesity Discontinued in Phase III
CNTFR	PegCNTF		Obesity Phase I

Drugs for CNTFR from TTD (Therapeutic Targets Database)