C. elegans MANF Homolog Is Necessary for the Protection of Dopaminergic Neurons and ER Unfolded Protein Response

Neurotrophic factors (NTFs) are important for the development, function, and survival of neurons in the mammalian system. Mesencephalic astrocyte-derived neurotrophic factor (MANF) and cerebral dopamine neurotrophic factor (CDNF) are two recently identified members of a novel family of NTFs in vertebrates that function to protect dopaminergic neurons. Although these genes are conserved across eukaryotes, their mechanism of neuroprotection is …