Description
Ciliary neurotrophic factor receptor alpha (CNTF Rα) is anchored to the cell membrane by a glycosyl-phosphatidylinositol linkage and is expressed exclusively in the nervous system and skeletal muscle. One possible function of this type of linkage is to allow for the regulated release of this receptor component. Potential physiological roles for the soluble CNTF receptor alpha subunit are suggested by its presence in cerebrospinal fluid and by its release from skeletal muscle in response to peripheral nerve injury