Glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) and related molecules, neurturin, artemin
and persephin, signal through a unique multicomponent receptor system consisting of RET
tyrosine kinase and glycosyl-phosphatidylinositol-anchored coreceptor (GFRα1–4). These
neurotrophic factors promote the survival of various neurons including peripheral autonomic
and sensory neurons as well as central motor and dopamine neurons, and have been
expected as therapeutic agents for neurodegenerative diseases. In addition, it turned out …