CNTF, a pleiotropic cytokine: emphasis on its myotrophic role.
Ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) is a cytokine whose neurotrophic and differentiating effects over cells in the central nervous system (CNS) have been clearly demonstrated. This article summarizes the general characteristics of CNTF, its receptor and the signaling pathway that it activates and focuses on its effects over skeletal muscle, one of its major target tissues outside the central nervous system. The evidence for the existence of other molecules that signal through the same complex as CNTF is also reviewed.
Vergara
Cecilia
C
Biology Department, Faculty of Sciences, University of Chile, Casilla 653, Santiago, Chile. cvergara@uchile.cl
Ramirez
Beatriz
B
D000818:Animals; D002490:Central Nervous System / Q000378:metabolism*; D020934:Ciliary Neurotrophic Factor / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D009124:Muscle Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000294:innervation / Q000378:metabolism*; D009469:Neuromuscular Junction / Q000378:metabolism*; D017933:Peripheral Nervous System / Q000378:metabolism*; D020801:Receptor, Ciliary Neurotrophic Factor / Q000378:metabolism; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology
D020934:Ciliary Neurotrophic Factor; D009124:Muscle Proteins; D020801:Receptor, Ciliary Neurotrophic Factor