Mesencephalic Astrocyte-derived Neurotrophic Factor (MANF) Has a Unique Mechanism to Rescue Apoptotic Neurons
Hellman, M.H., Arumae, U., Yu, L.-Y., Lindholm, P., Peranen, J., Saarma, M., Permi, P.(2011) J Biol Chem 286: 2675-2680
- PubMed: 21047780 
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.1074/jbc.M110.146738
- Primary Citation of Related Structures:  
2KVD, 2KVE - PubMed Abstract: 
Mesencephalic astrocyte-derived neurotrophic factor (MANF) protects neurons and repairs the Parkinson disease-like symptoms in a rat 6-hydroxydopamine model. We show a three-dimensional solution structure of human MANF that differs drastically from other neurotrophic factors. Remarkably, the C-terminal domain of MANF (C-MANF) is homologous to the SAP domain of Ku70, a well known inhibitor of proapoptotic Bax (Bcl-2-associated X protein). Cellular studies confirm that MANF and C-MANF protect neurons intracellularly as efficiently as Ku70.
Organizational Affiliation: 
Program in Structural Biology and Biophysics, Institute of Biotechnology, University of Helsinki, FI-00014 Helsinki, Finland.