Source:http://linkedlifedata.com/resource/umls/id/C0084084
NCI: Heparin-Binding Neurotrophic Factors are a family of polypeptide growth factors produced by peripheral target tissues, as well as the nervous system, that block apoptosis and promote neuronal growth, regeneration, survival, and differentiation. Many growth factors appear to temporarily and non-covalently interact with the glycosaminoglycan heparin, which may affect growth factor activity.,NCI: Heparin-binding neurite outgrowth-promoting factor is a member of a highly conserved human gene family of proteins. It exhibits neurite outgrowth-promoting activity and may play a role in nervous tissue development and/or maintenance. It was renamed pleiotrophin (PTN) to reflect its diverse activities. Expression of this factor is developmentally regulated, increasing in the brain during embryogenesis and reaching its maximum expression at the time of birth. The gene codes for a 168-residue protein that is a precursor for a previously described brain-derived heparin-binding protein of 136 amino acids. (from OMIM),N