The function of CNTF (ciliary neurotrophic factor, Ensembl gene identifier ENSG00000242689) is as follows. Functions as a cytokine through the ciliary neurotrophic factor receptor (CNTFR) complex (PubMed:10966616, PubMed:11285233, PubMed:11294841, PubMed:31932351, PubMed:36930708). The CNTFR complex indeed consists of the membrane-anchored non-signaling receptor CNTFR and the two signaling receptor subunits IL6ST/gp130 and LIFR that transduce the signal into the cell (PubMed:36930708). Functionally, promotes neuronal survival, supports differentiation of various neuronal and non-neuronal cells, and importantly regulates oligodendrocyte progenitor proliferation (PubMed:1861138, PubMed:1883844, PubMed:31932351). Mechanistically, ligand binding to the CNTFR induces dimerization of the IL6ST/gp130 and LIFR, which activates JAK tyrosine kinases (JAK1 or JAK2 and to lesser extent TYK2) bound to their intracellular domains (PubMed:11294841). These kinases subsequently phosphorylate IL6ST/gp130 and LIFR (PubMed:11294841). 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:11285233, PubMed:11294841). Can also signal via trans-signaling using soluble forms of CNTFR (PubMed:31932351, PubMed:7681218). Seems to prevent the degeneration of motor axons after axotomy (By similarity). {ECO:0000250|UniProtKB:P20294, ECO:0000269|PubMed:10966616, ECO:0000269|PubMed:11285233, ECO:0000269|PubMed:11294841, ECO:0000269|PubMed:1861138, ECO:0000269|PubMed:1883844, ECO:0000269|PubMed:31932351, ECO:0000269|PubMed:36930708, ECO:0000269|PubMed:7681218}.