Metrn
Function
Involved in both glial cell differentiation and axonal network formation during neurogenesis. Promotes astrocyte differentiation and transforms cerebellar astrocytes into radial glia. Also induces axonal extension in small and intermediate neurons of sensory ganglia by activating nearby satellite glia.
Sequence Similarities
Belongs to the meteorin family.
Tissue Specificity
Highly expressed in brain. Expressed in undifferentiated neural progenitors and in astrocyte lineage, particularly in Bergmann glia, a subtype of radial glia, and a few discrete neuronal populations residing in the superior colliculus, the ocular motor nucleus, the raphe and pontine nuclei, and in various thalamic nuclei. Weakly expressed in heart, kidney, skeletal muscle, spleen, testis, gut and lung.
Cellular localization
- Secreted
Alternative names
Hyrac, Metrn, Meteorin, Hypoxia/reoxygenation regulatory factor