Patent ID: 6949505

Claim:
A method for promoting dendrite outgrowth by a neuron, comprising contacting said neuron with a composition comprising a morphogen, wherein said morphogen comprises a dimeric protein having an amino acid sequence selected from: (1) a conserved C-terminal seven-cysteine skeleton at least about 60% identical or 70% homologous to the residues 38-139 of SEQ ID NO: 5; (2) generic sequence 3 (SEQ ID NO: 3) or generic sequence 4 (SEQ ID NO: 4); (3) generic sequence 5 (SEQ ID NO: 30) or generic sequence 6 (SEQ ID NO: 31); or (4) generic sequence OPX (SEQ ID NO: 29); wherein said morphogen promotes dendrite outgrowth in said neuron.