Cntf - ciliary neurotrophic factor

The protein encoded by this gene is a polypeptide hormone whose actions appear to be restricted to the nervous system where it promotes neurotransmitter synthesis and neurite outgrowth in certain neuronal populations. The protein is a potent survival factor for neurons and oligodendrocytes, and it may be involved in reducing tissue destruction during inflammatory attacks. A read-through transcript variant composed of Zfp91 and Cntf sequences has been identified, but it is thought to be non-coding. Read-through transcription of Zfp91 and Cntf has been observed in both human and mouse. [provided by RefSeq, Aug 2008]