Rat Neuron-derived neurotrophic factor,NENF ELI

Acts as a neurotrophic factor in postnatal mature neurons enhancing neuronal survival (PubMed:31536960).

Promotes cell proliferation and neurogenesis in undifferentiated neural progenitor cells at the embryonic stage and inhibits differentiation of astrocytes (By similarity).

Its neurotrophic activity is exerted via MAPK1/ERK2, MAPK3/ERK1 and AKT1/AKT pathways (By similarity).

Neurotrophic activity is enhanced by binding to heme (By similarity).

Acts also as an anorexigenic neurotrophic factor that contributes to energy balance (By similarity).

{ECO:0000250|UniProtKB:Q9CQ45, ECO:0000269|PubMed:31536960}.