The function of CNTFR (ciliary neurotrophic factor receptor, ENSG00000122756) is as follows. Functions either as a membrane-anchored non-signaling receptor via a GPI anchor or, after proteolytic release, as a soluble ligand-binding chaperone, and mediates signaling of CNTF-related cytokines, including ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF), cardiotrophin- like cytokine factor 1 (CLCF1), and the heterodimeric cytokine formed by CLCF1 and the cytokine receptor-like factor 1 (CRLF1) (PubMed:10966616, PubMed:11285233, PubMed:11294841, PubMed:26858303, PubMed:31932351, PubMed:36930708, PubMed:7681218). Involved namely in cell survival of motor neurons and regulation of oligodendrocyte progenitor proliferation (PubMed:11285233, PubMed:19386761, PubMed:31932351). Functions within the ciliary neurotrophic factor receptor (CNTFR) complex as a membrane-anchored non-signaling receptor subunit associated with two other signaling receptor subunits IL6ST/gp130 and LIFR (PubMed:10966616, PubMed:11285233, PubMed:11294841, PubMed:26858303, PubMed:31932351, PubMed:36930708, PubMed:7681218). Also, functions within the humanin receptor complex as a membrane-anchored non-signaling receptor subunit associated with IL6ST/GP130 and IL27RA/WSX1 that mediates the MT-RNR2/humanin signaling which induces neuroprotection (PubMed:19386761). Alternatively functions as a soluble ligand-binding chaperone that binds ligand in the extracellular space, forming a cytokine complex which is delivered to the IL6ST/gp130 and LIFR signaling receptor subunits (PubMed:11285233, PubMed:31932351, PubMed:7681218). Mechanistically, ligand binding to the CNTFR induces dimerization of the IL6ST/gp130 and LIFR (or IL27RA/WSX1 in the case of MT-RNR2/humanin), which activate JAK tyrosine kinases (JAK1 or JAK2 and to lesser extent TYK2) bound to their intracellular domains (PubMed:10966616, PubMed:11285233, PubMed:11294841, PubMed:19386761, PubMed:7681218). These kinases subsequently phosphorylate IL6ST/gp130 and LIFR (or IL27RA/WSX1) (PubMed:10966616, PubMed:11285233, PubMed:11294841, PubMed:7681218). The tyrosine phosphorylated signaling receptors serve in turn as docking sites for recruitment and activation of signal transducer and activators of transcription (STAT3 and to lesser extent STAT1) (PubMed:10966616, PubMed:11285233, PubMed:11294841, PubMed:19386761, PubMed:7681218). {ECO:0000269|PubMed:10966616, ECO:0000269|PubMed:11285233, ECO:0000269|PubMed:11294841, ECO:0000269|PubMed:19386761, ECO:0000269|PubMed:26858303, ECO:0000269|PubMed:31932351, ECO:0000269|PubMed:36930708, ECO:0000269|PubMed:7681218}.