Description
Acts as a neurotrophic factor in postnatal mature neurons enhancing neuronal survival. Promotes cell proliferation and neurogenesis in undifferentiated neural pro-genitor cells at the embryonic stage and inhibits differentiation of astrocyte. Its neurotrophic activity is exerted via MAPK1/ERK2, MAPK3/ERK1 and AKT1/AKT pathways. Neurotrophic activity is enhanced by binding to heme. Acts also as an anorexigenic neurotrophic factor that contributes to energy balance (By similarity). Plays a role in the human tumorigenesis (PubMed:22748190)