GDNF is a disulfide-linked homodimeric neurotrophic factor structurally related to Artemin, Neurturin and Persephin. These proteins belong to the cysteine-knot superfamily of growth factors that assume stable dimeric protein structures. GDNF signals through a multicomponent receptor system, composed of a RET and one of the four GFRα (α1-α4) receptors. GDNF specifically promotes dopamine uptake and survival and morphological differentiation of midbrain neurons. Using Parkinson's disease mouse model, GDNF has been shown to improve conditions such as bradykinesia, rigidity, and postural instability. The functional rat GDNF ligand is a disulfide linked homodimer, of two 15.0 kDa polypeptide chains called monomers. Each monomer