The novel protein mesencephalic astrocyte-derived neurotrophic factor (MANF) is a survival molecule (alternatively referred to as arginine-rich, mutated in early stage tumors, or ARMET) that has high selectivity for dopaminergic neurons of the midbrain. There, it induces proliferative and protective effects against neurodegeneration (usually caused by 6-hydroxydopamine); its therapeutic potential in dopamine-related neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson's disease is therefore promising. MANF is also expressed cardiac tissues. As was recently suggested, it induces cardioprotection in the heart and anti-hypertrophic effects via reducing endoplasmic reticulum stress In ischemic conditions in both the heart and the brain – thus, its effects stretch beyond rescue and protection of dopaminergic neurons alone
