Nt-4 (NTF4) Active Protein

This gene is a member of a family of neurotrophic factors, neurotrophins, that control survival and differentiation of mammalian neurons. The expression of this gene is ubiquitous and less influenced by environmental signals. While knock-outs of other neurotrophins including nerve growth factor, brain-derived neurotrophic factor, and neurotrophin 3 prove lethal during early postnatal development, NTF5-deficient mice only show minor cellular deficits and develop normally to adulthood. [provided by RefSeq]

Function: Target-derived survival factor for peripheral sensory sympathetic neurons.

Subcellular location: Secreted.

Tissue specificity: Highest levels in prostate, lower levels in thymus, placenta, and skeletal muscle. Expressed in embryonic and adult tissues.

Involvement in disease: Defects in NTF4 may be associated with susceptibility to primary open angle glaucoma type 1O (GLC1O) [

MIM:613100]. A form of primary open angle glaucoma (POAG). POAG is characterized by a specific pattern of optic nerve and visual field defects. The angle of the anterior chamber of the eye is open, and usually the intraocular pressure is increased. The disease is asymptomatic until the late stages, by which time significant and irreversible optic nerve damage has already taken place.

Sequence similarities: Belongs to the NGF-beta family.