Artemin is a disulfide-linked member of the glial cell line-derived homodimeric neurotrophic factor (GDNF) family which all signal via a multicomponent receptor system composing of a high-affinity binding component (GFR_1-4) and a common signalling receptor tyrosine kinase (RET). Artemin prefers the receptor GFR_3-RET, but will use the others as an alternative. Artemin promotes the survival and growth of peripheral and central neurons, including dopaminergic neurons in the mid-brain; and plays an important role in the development of sensory and sympathetic neurons.