Expression of a novel member of the TGF-beta superfamily, growth/differentiation factor-15/macrophage-inhibiting cytokine-1 (GDF-15/MIC-1) in adult rat tissues.
We have cloned a novel member of the transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) superfamily from a human placental cDNA library. The sequence is identical to five very recently published sequences, of which only one (macrophage inhibitory cytokine-1, MIC-1) has been characterized in terms of function. In light of the present data demonstrating the wide distribution of the mRNA and putative multifunctionality, we propose to name this molecule growth/differentiation factor-15/MIC-1 (GDF-15/MIC-1). The deduced amino acid sequence reveals typical features of a secreted molecule. The epithelium of the choroid plexus is the only site in the adult brain expressing detectable levels of GDF-15/MIC-1 mRNA. Many epithelia of non-neural tissues including those of the prostate and intestinal mucosa, bronchi and bronchioli, secretory tubuli of the submandibular gland, and lactating mammary gland are prominent sites of GDF-15/MIC-1 synthesis. GDF-15/MIC-1 is also strongly expressed by macrophages in the adrenal gland. Thus, GDF-15/MIC-1, like many other members of the TGF-beta superfamily, is widely distributed in adult tissues, being most strongly expressed in epithelial cells and macrophages.
Department of Neuroanatomy, University of Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 307, D-69120 Heidelberg, Germany.
M
M
Böttner
C
C
Suter-Crazzolara
A
A
Schober
K
K
Unsicker
D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D002831:Choroid Plexus / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D016207:Cytokines / Q000235:genetics*; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D015723:Gene Library; D055436:Growth Differentiation Factor 15; D006801:Humans; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D007668:Kidney / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D009928:Organ Specificity; D010920:Placenta / Q000378:metabolism; D011467:Prostate / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D014158:Transcription, Genetic; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000235:genetics
D016207:Cytokines; C526140:GDF15 protein, human; C526141:Gdf15 protein, mouse; C526142:Gdf15 protein, rat; D055436:Growth Differentiation Factor 15; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta