The GDNF family receptor-α (GFRα)
protein
Proteins are large biomolecules and macromolecules that comprise one or more long chains of amino acid residues. Proteins perform a vast array of functions within organisms, including catalysing metabolic reactions, DNA replication, respo ...
s are a group of
co-receptor
A co-receptor is a cell surface receptor that binds a signalling molecule in addition to a primary receptor in order to facilitate ligand recognition and initiate biological processes, such as entry of a pathogen into a host cell.
Properties
The t ...
s which form complexes with
GDNF-family ligands (GFLs) to activate
RET, the
receptor
Receptor may refer to:
* Sensory receptor, in physiology, any structure which, on receiving environmental stimuli, produces an informative nerve impulse
*Receptor (biochemistry), in biochemistry, a protein molecule that receives and responds to a ...
of the GFLs.
The GFRα co-receptors include the following:
*
GFRα1
GDNF family receptor alpha-1 (GFRα1), also known as the GDNF receptor, is a protein that in humans is encoded by the ''GFRA1'' gene.
Function
Glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) and neurturin (NTN) are two structurally related, ...
– preference for
GDNF
Glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) is a protein that, in humans, is encoded by the ''GDNF'' gene. GDNF is a small protein that potently promotes the survival of many types of neurons. It signals through GFRα receptors, particula ...
*
GFRα2 – preference for
neurturin
Neurturin (NRTN) is a protein that is encoded in humans by the ''NRTN'' gene. Neurturin belongs to the glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) family of neurotrophic factors, which regulate the survival and function of neurons. Neur ...
*
GFRα3 – preference for
artemin
Artemin, also known as enovin or neublastin, is a protein that in humans is encoded by the ''ARTN'' gene.
Function
Artemin is a neurotrophic factor in the glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor family of ligands which are a group of liga ...
*
GFRα4
GDNF family receptor alpha-4 (GFRα4), also known as the persephin receptor, is a protein that in humans is encoded by the ''GFRA4'' gene.
See also
* GFRα
The GDNF family receptor-α (GFRα) proteins are a group of co-receptors which form comp ...
– preference for
persephin
Persephin is a neurotrophic factor in the glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) family. Persephin shares around a 40% similarity in amino acid sequence compared to GDNF and neurturin, two members of the GDNF family.
Function
Perse ...
*
GFRAL - receptor for
GDF15
Growth/differentiation factor 15 (GDF15) was first identified as Macrophage inhibitory cytokine-1 or MIC-1.
It is a protein belonging to the transforming growth factor beta superfamily. Under normal conditions, GDF-15 is expressed in low concent ...
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:GFRa
TGFβ domain
Proteins