Acts as a neurotrophic factor in postnatal mature neurons enhancing neuronal survival (PubMed:31536960). Promotes cell proliferation and neurogenesis in undifferentiated neural progenitor cells at the embryonic stage and inhibits differentiation of astrocytes (By similarity). Its neurotrophic activity is exerted via MAPK1/ERK2, MAPK3/ERK1 and AKT1/AKT pathways (By similarity). Neurotrophic activity is enhanced by binding to heme (By similarity). Acts also as an anorexigenic neurotrophic factor that contributes to energy balance (By similarity).
