Displays neurotrophic activity and activates phosphorylation of MAPK1/ERK2, MAPK3/ERK1 and AKT1/AKT in primary cultured neurons. Does not have mitogenic activity in primary cultured astrocytes. May play a role on neuronal differentiation and may have a transient effect on neural cell proliferation in neural precursor cells. Neurotrophic activity is enhanced by binding to heme (By similarity).
