The present invention relates to molecules referred to as GDNF-related neurotrophic factor 4 (GRNF4). The present invention involves the cloning, expression, characterization and use of GRNF4. Polynucleotide molecules and amino acid sequences are described for GRNF4. GRNF4 is 35 % identical to glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor and 46 % identical to neurturin. GRNF4 binds to GFR alpha -3 which is a receptor of the GFR alpha family exclusively expressed in the peripheral sensory and sympathetic nervous systems.
