Artemin is a neurotrophic factor in the glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor family of ligands which are a group of ligands within the TGF-beta superfamily of signaling molecules. GDNFs are unique in having neurotrophic properties and have potential use for gene therapy in neurodegenerative disease. Artemin has been shown in culture to support the survival of a number of peripheral neuron populations and at least one population of dopaminergic CNS neurons. Its role in the PNS and CNS is further substantiated by its expression pattern in the proximity of these neurons. This protein is a ligand for the RET receptor and uses GFR-alpha 3 as a coreceptor.[5]
Artemin, along with other GDNF family of ligands, has been implicated in the structural development and plasticity of several types of neurons, including ventral mesencephalic dopaminergic neurons.[7] Artemin promotes the survival of newly differentiated neurons after they have undergone terminal mitosis. Artemin has also been found to support the survival neurons in later stages of development and can enhance neuron growth better than neural growth factor during later stages of development.[8] Artemin plays an important role in migration, proliferation, and differentiation of sympathetic neurons during development. However, during target innervation, sympathetic neurons become dependent on neural growth factor for survival support.[9]
Unlike other secreted guidance cues during development, artemin acts solely as a chemoattractant and never acts as a chemorepellent.[10] Artemin is expressed in smooth muscle cells and secreted along blood vessels and in cells near sympathetic axonal projections so that the sympathetic axons can reach their target tissue cells. [10]
^Zihlmann KB, Ducray AD, Schaller B, Huber AW, Krebs SH, Andres RH, et al. (December 2005). "The GDNF family members neurturin, artemin and persephin promote the morphological differentiation of cultured ventral mesencephalic dopaminergic neurons". Brain Research Bulletin. 68 (1–2): 42–53. doi:10.1016/j.brainresbull.2004.10.012. PMID16325003. S2CID31594656.
Rosenblad C, Grønborg M, Hansen C, Blom N, Meyer M, Johansen J, et al. (February 2000). "In vivo protection of nigral dopamine neurons by lentiviral gene transfer of the novel GDNF-family member neublastin/artemin". Molecular and Cellular Neurosciences. 15 (2): 199–214. doi:10.1006/mcne.1999.0817. PMID10673327. S2CID1378559.
Zhu DL, Luo DL, Luo G, Wang B, Gao JM (March 2009). "[Artemin and GFRalpha3 expressions and their relevance to perineural invasiveness and metastasis of pancreatic carcinoma]". Nan Fang Yi Ke da Xue Xue Bao = Journal of Southern Medical University. 29 (3): 428–32. PMID19304517.
Silvian L, Jin P, Carmillo P, Boriack-Sjodin PA, Pelletier C, Rushe M, et al. (June 2006). "Artemin crystal structure reveals insights into heparan sulfate binding". Biochemistry. 45 (22): 6801–12. doi:10.1021/bi060035x. PMID16734417.
Fernandez RM, Ruiz-Ferrer M, Lopez-Alonso M, Antiñolo G, Borrego S (November 2008). "Polymorphisms in the genes encoding the 4 RET ligands, GDNF, NTN, ARTN, PSPN, and susceptibility to Hirschsprung disease". Journal of Pediatric Surgery. 43 (11): 2042–7. doi:10.1016/j.jpedsurg.2008.05.018. PMID18970938.
Ceyhan GO, Schäfer KH, Kerscher AG, Rauch U, Demir IE, Kadihasanoglu M, et al. (May 2010). "Nerve growth factor and artemin are paracrine mediators of pancreatic neuropathy in pancreatic adenocarcinoma". Annals of Surgery. 251 (5): 923–31. doi:10.1097/SLA.0b013e3181d974d4. PMID20395845. S2CID6581279.
Quartu M, Serra MP, Manca A, Mascia F, Follesa P, Del Fiacco M (April 2005). "Neurturin, persephin, and artemin in the human pre- and full-term newborn and adult hippocampus and fascia dentata". Brain Research. 1041 (2): 157–66. doi:10.1016/j.brainres.2005.02.007. PMID15829225. S2CID35298612.
Otsuki K, Uchida S, Watanuki T, Wakabayashi Y, Fujimoto M, Matsubara T, et al. (October 2008). "Altered expression of neurotrophic factors in patients with major depression". Journal of Psychiatric Research. 42 (14): 1145–53. doi:10.1016/j.jpsychires.2008.01.010. PMID18313696.
