Ciliary Neurotrophic Factor Receptor alpha Subunit, also known as CNTFRα, is a protein involved in cellular signaling pathways and the regulation of neural development and survival. It is a subunit of the receptor complex for Ciliary Neurotrophic Factor (CNTF), a neurotrophic factor that promotes survival, differentiation, and regeneration of various cell types, including neurons.
The CNTFRα subunit consists of approximately 371 amino acids and is part of a heteromeric receptor complex that also includes glycoprotein 130 (gp130) and leukemia inhibitory factor receptor (LIFR). This receptor complex is primarily expressed on neural cells, including astrocytes and neurons in the central nervous system (CNS).
Upon binding with CNTF, the CNTFRα subunit enhances the affinity of the receptor complex for CNTF and facilitates signal transduction. This leads to the activation of several downstream signaling pathways, including the Janus kinase (JAK)/signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) pathway, which mediate cell survival, differentiation, and synaptic plasticity.
The CNTFRα subunit plays a crucial role in neuronal development and survival, as evidenced by studies involving knockout mice lacking this subunit. These mice display defects in motor neuron development, impaired sensory function, and reduced survival of specific neuronal populations. Additionally, CNTFRα has been implicated in the pathogenesis of various neurological disorders, including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and multiple sclerosis (MS).
In summary, the Ciliary Neurotrophic Factor Receptor alpha Subunit (CNTFRα) is a protein that forms part of the receptor complex for CNTF, a neurotrophic factor involved in neural development and survival. Its activation triggers
