Secretory protein that plays a role in various cellular processes (PubMed:20969804, PubMed:24706764, PubMed:31883645). Acts as a chemorepellent acting on gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) expressing neurons regulating their migration to the hypothalamus (PubMed:31883645). Also promotes neuron migration, growth and survival as well as neurite outgrowth and is involved in the development of the olfactory system (PubMed:20969804, PubMed:31883645). May also act through the regulation of growth factors activity and downstream signaling (PubMed:31883645). Also regulates extracellular matrix assembly and cell adhesiveness (By similarity). Promotes endothelial cell survival, vessel formation and plays an important role in the process of revascularization through NOS3-dependent mechanisms (PubMed:24706764). {ECO:0000250|UniProtKB:Q8C119, ECO:0000269|PubMed:20969804, ECO:0000269|PubMed:24706764, ECO:0000269|PubMed:31883645}. This is the function of Ensembl gene identifier ENSG00000173376 (NDNF, neuron derived neurotrophic factor).