Glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor

Glial cell derived neurotrophic factor

GDNF structure
Identifiers
Symbols GDNF; ATF1; ATF2; HFB1-GDNF; HSCR3
External IDs OMIM600837 MGI107430 HomoloGene433 GeneCards: GDNF Gene
RNA expression pattern
More reference expression data
Orthologs
Species Human Mouse
Entrez 2668 14573
Ensembl ENSG00000168621 ENSMUSG00000022144
UniProt P39905 Q6LEL9
RefSeq (mRNA) NM_000514.3 NM_010275.2
RefSeq (protein) NP_000505.1 NP_034405.1
Location (UCSC) Chr 5:
37.81 – 37.84 Mb
Chr 15:
7.76 – 7.79 Mb
PubMed search [1] [2]

Glial cell-derived neurotrophic factor, also known as GDNF is a protein that, in humans, is encoded by the GDNF gene.[1] GDNF is a small protein that potently promotes the survival of many types of neurons.[2]

Contents

Function

This gene encodes a highly conserved neurotrophic factor. The recombinant form of this protein was shown to promote the survival and differentiation of dopaminergic neurons in culture, and was able to prevent apoptosis of motor neurons induced by axotomy. The encoded protein is processed to a mature secreted form that exists as a homodimer. The mature form of the protein is a ligand for the product of the RET (rearranged during transfection) protooncogene. In addition to the transcript encoding GDNF, two additional alternative transcripts encoding distinct proteins, referred to as astrocyte-derived trophic factors, have also been described. Mutations in this gene may be associated with Hirschsprung's disease.[2]

The most prominent feature of GDNF is its ability to support the survival of dopaminergic and motorneurons.

These neuronal populations die in the course of Parkinson's disease and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). GDNF also regulates kidney development and spermatogenesis, and it affects alcohol consumption.[3]

GDNF family of ligands (GFL)

GDNF is a founding member of the GDNF family of ligands (GFL).

Interactions

Glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor has been shown to interact with GFRA2[4][5] and GDNF family receptor alpha 1.[4][5]

References

  1. ^ Lin LF, Doherty DH, Lile JD, Bektesh S, Collins F (May 1993). "GDNF: a glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor for midbrain dopaminergic neurons". Science 260 (5111): 1130–2. doi:10.1126/science.8493557. PMID 8493557. http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/pmidlookup?view=long&pmid=8493557. 
  2. ^ a b "Entrez Gene: GDNF glial cell derived neurotrophic factor". http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?Db=gene&Cmd=ShowDetailView&TermToSearch=2668. 
  3. ^ Carnicella S, Kharazia V, Jeanblanc J, Janak PH, Ron D (June 2008). "GDNF is a fast-acting potent inhibitor of alcohol consumption and relapse". Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 105 (23): 8114–9. doi:10.1073/pnas.0711755105. PMC 2423415. PMID 18541917. http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?tool=pmcentrez&artid=2423415. 
  4. ^ a b Jing, S; Yu Y, Fang M, Hu Z, Holst P L, Boone T, Delaney J, Schultz H, Zhou R, Fox G M (Dec. 1997). "GFRalpha-2 and GFRalpha-3 are two new receptors for ligands of the GDNF family". J. Biol. Chem. (UNITED STATES) 272 (52): 33111–7. doi:10.1074/jbc.272.52.33111. ISSN 0021-9258. PMID 9407096. 
  5. ^ a b Cik, M; Masure S, Lesage A S, Van Der Linden I, Van Gompel P, Pangalos M N, Gordon R D, Leysen J E (Sep. 2000). "Binding of GDNF and neurturin to human GDNF family receptor alpha 1 and 2. Influence of cRET and cooperative interactions". J. Biol. Chem. (UNITED STATES) 275 (36): 27505–12. doi:10.1074/jbc.M000306200. ISSN 0021-9258. PMID 10829012. 

Further reading

External links