GDF-15
GDF-15 (growth differentiation factor 15, also known as MIC-1, PLAB, NAG-1 and PDF) is a secreted member of the TGF-beta superfamily. It acts as a stress-induced hormone and pleiotropic cytokine that signals to the brainstem through its receptor, GFRAL. Browse Assay Genie's current range of GDF-15 research reagents below, or read on for the biology behind the target.
GDF-15 is a hormone produced in response to various stresses. It relays information about those stresses to the brain and triggers an aversive response characterised by nausea, vomiting and loss of appetite. It binds GFRAL, activating GFRAL-expressing neurons in the area postrema and nucleus tractus solitarius of the brainstem. This in turn activates neurons in the parabrachial nucleus and central amygdala, part of an 'emergency circuit' that shapes responses to stressful conditions. The GDF-15–GFRAL signal also induces expression of metabolic genes, including those for lipid metabolism in adipose tissue, and GDF-15 promotes weight loss by enhancing energy expenditure in muscle through increased calcium futile cycling.
The GDF15 gene encodes a secreted ligand of the TGF-beta superfamily. The preproprotein is proteolytically processed to give the subunits of a disulfide-linked homodimer. The protein is expressed in a broad range of cell types and is part of the stress response programme of cells after injury. Increased levels are associated with tissue hypoxia, inflammation, acute injury and oxidative stress. The same gene is listed by HGNC among microRNA protein coding host genes.
GDF-15 has been linked to many physiological and pathological settings. It is produced in the kidney in response to metformin, although its contribution to metformin-induced weight loss is limited and debated. It is induced by anticancer drugs such as cisplatin and camptothecin, and overproduced in many cancers, where it promotes cachexia. High GDF-15 during pregnancy, mostly of foetal origin, is associated with nausea and vomiting. GDF-15 also supports tissue tolerance during infection, inhibits leukocyte integrin activation after myocardial infarction, and inhibits growth hormone signalling in hepatocytes. Researchers studying this protein often work with a GDF-15 antibody or GDF-15 ELISA kit to follow its expression.
GDF-15 acts through GFRAL in the brainstem to suppress appetite and, by raising energy expenditure in muscle, to promote weight loss.
GDF-15 is overproduced in many cancers and anticancer drugs such as cisplatin induce it, linking it to anorexia, nausea and malnutrition.
High GDF-15, mostly foetal in origin, is associated with nausea and vomiting in pregnancy, and pre-pregnancy exposure may determine maternal sensitivity.
GDF-15 rises with hypoxia, inflammation, acute injury and oxidative stress, and promotes tissue tolerance during infection and after myocardial infarction.
GDF-15 is a stress-induced hormone that binds GFRAL on brainstem neurons, triggering nausea, reduced appetite and aversive behaviour. It also increases energy expenditure in muscle, alters lipid metabolism in adipose tissue, and promotes tissue tolerance during infection and myocardial infarction.
GDF-15 is encoded by the GDF15 gene and is also called MIC-1 (MIC1), PLAB, PDF, NAG-1 and PTGFB. UniProt lists the protein as growth/differentiation factor 15. It is processed from a preproprotein into a disulfide-linked homodimer.
Yes. Mouse and rat both have a Gdf15 ortholog of the human gene. GDF-15 belongs to the TGF-beta family; check the datasheet of any product for its validated reactivity.
Other growth differentiation factors and TGF-beta superfamily ligands with products at Assay Genie.
Gene and protein annotations from HGNC, NCBI Gene and UniProt Q99988; product specifications from Assay Genie datasheets.