GDNF
GDNF (glial cell derived neurotrophic factor) is a secreted neurotrophic factor of the TGF-beta superfamily that supports the survival and differentiation of dopaminergic neurons. It signals through the GFRA1 coreceptor and the RET receptor, and is also known by the aliases ATF1, ATF2 and HFB1-GDNF. Browse Assay Genie's current range of GDNF research reagents below, or read on for the biology behind the target.
GDNF is a neurotrophic factor that enhances the survival and morphological differentiation of dopaminergic neurons and increases their high-affinity dopamine uptake. It acts by binding to its coreceptor, GFRA1, which leads to autophosphorylation and activation of the RET receptor. GDNF is therefore a ligand for the product of the RET protooncogene, and it is also involved in the development of the neural crest.
The GDNF gene encodes a secreted ligand that belongs to the GDNF subfamily of the TGF-beta family, and HGNC places it in the GDNF family ligands group. The encoded preproprotein is proteolytically processed to generate each subunit of a disulfide-linked homodimer. The gene encodes multiple protein isoforms that may undergo similar proteolytic processing. Mouse and rat both carry a Gdnf ortholog.
The recombinant form of the GDNF protein, a highly conserved neurotrophic factor, was shown to promote the survival and differentiation of dopaminergic neurons in culture. It was also able to prevent apoptosis of motor neurons induced by axotomy. These properties have made GDNF a standard reference point in neurotrophic factor research.
On disease, NCBI Gene reports that mutations in this gene may be associated with Hirschsprung disease and Tourette syndrome. The aliases ATF1, ATF2 and HFB1-GDNF are listed for the gene, so it is worth checking the full name and the UniProt accession when searching the literature.
GDNF enhances survival, morphological differentiation and high-affinity dopamine uptake in dopaminergic neurons, making it central to studies of this cell population.
Recombinant GDNF was able to prevent apoptosis of motor neurons induced by axotomy, which supports its use in neuroprotection research.
GDNF binds the coreceptor GFRA1 to trigger autophosphorylation and activation of RET, a pathway studied in receptor tyrosine kinase signalling.
GDNF is involved in neural crest development, and mutations in the gene may be associated with Hirschsprung disease.
GDNF is a secreted neurotrophic factor that enhances the survival and morphological differentiation of dopaminergic neurons and increases their high-affinity dopamine uptake. It binds the coreceptor GFRA1, which leads to autophosphorylation and activation of the RET receptor. It is also involved in neural crest development.
GDNF is also called glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor, and its listed aliases are ATF1, ATF2 and HFB1-GDNF. The gene encodes multiple protein isoforms. The preproprotein is proteolytically processed to give the subunits of a disulfide-linked homodimer.
NCBI Gene describes GDNF as a highly conserved neurotrophic factor, and mouse and rat each have a Gdnf ortholog. Mutations in the human gene may be associated with Hirschsprung disease and Tourette syndrome. Check the datasheet of any product for its validated reactivity.
Coreceptors, receptors and other neurotrophic factors and TGF-beta family ligands related to GDNF.
Gene and protein annotations from HGNC, NCBI Gene and UniProt P39905; product specifications from Assay Genie datasheets.