GDNF - a Neurotrophic Survival Factor

Glial-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (GDNF) is the major member of the GDNF family protein which is distantly related to the TGF-β superfamily. GDNF elicits its cellular and physiological effects by binding RET, a tyrosine receptor kinase and GPI-linked co-receptors, belonging to the GDNF receptor α family. GDNF is a disulfide-bonded neurotrophic factor that is produced as an inactive precursor. The presignal peptide is cleaved upon protein secretion, followed by the cleavage of the pro-signal probably at the target’s cell surface to produce functional mature homodimers. Here, we briefly describe some activities and downstream signaling of GDNF and the contributions of Alomone Labs in this field.