Artemin is a novel member of the glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GNDF) ligand family. Current evidence suggests that Artemin signals through the receptor complex, GFR alpha 3-RET, to influence neuron survival in vitro and in vivo. Recombinant Artemin is a non-glycosylated, disulfide-linked homodimer, containing two 113 amino acid chains, with a total molecular weight of 24.2 kDa.