Neurturin is a disulfide-linked homodimer neurotrophic factor structurally related to GDNF, Artemin, and Persephin. These proteins belong to the cysteine-knot family of growth factors that assume stable dimeric structures. Neurturin signals through a multicomponent receptor system, composed of RET and one of four GFR alpha (alpha1-alpha4) receptors. Neurturin promotes the development and survival of sympathetic and sensory neurons by signaling through a receptor system composed of RET and GFRalpha2. Alternative Names: NRTN protein, NTN protein