Novel neurotrophic factors MANF and CDNF protect neurons in primary culture

ARMET is an endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress-inducible protein that is required for maintaining cell viability under ER stress conditions. However, the exact molecular mechanisms by which ARMET protects cells are unknown. Here, we have analyzed the solution structure of ARMET. ARMET has an entirely α-helical structure, which is composed of two distinct domains. Positive charges are dispersed on the surfaces of both domains and across a linker structure. Trypsin digestion and 15N relaxation experiments indicate that the tumbling of the N-terminal and C-terminal domains is effectively independent. These results suggest that ARMET may hold a negatively charged molecule using the two positively charged domains.