Description
Glial cell line derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) is a protein promoting the survival of various neuronal subpopulations at different stages of development. These include dopaminergic neurons in midbrain, GDNF stimulates their survival, differentiation and high-affinity dopamine uptake. The use of GDNF in the treatment of Parkinson"s disease and spinal cord injuries has shown promising results. GDNF belongs to the TGF-? superfamily, it is a homodimeric protein with the familial cysteine-knot structure. Cells expressing GDNF include Sertoli cells, type 1 astrocytes, Schwann cells, neurons