GDF-15/MIC-1 a novel member of the TGF-beta superfamily.
We have cloned, expressed, and raised antibodies against a novel member of the TGF-beta superfamily, growth/differentiation factor-15 (GDF-15). The predicted protein is identical to macrophage inhibitory cytokine-1 (MIC-1), which was discovered simultaneously. GDF-15 is a more distant member of the TGF-beta superfamily and does not belong to one of the known TGF-beta subfamilies. In the CNS, GDF-15/MIC-1 mRNA is abundantly expressed by the choroid plexus. In addition we have preliminary evidence that GDF-15/MIC-1 is a potent trophic factor for selected classes of neurons in vitro and in vivo. Thus, GDF-15 is a novel neurotrophic factor with prospects for the treatment of disorders of the CNS.
Strelau
J
J
Neuroanatomy and Center for Neuroscience, University of Heidelberg, Federal Republic of Germany.
Böttner
M
M
Lingor
P
P
Suter-Crazzolara
C
C
Galter
D
D
Jaszai
J
J
Sullivan
A
A
Schober
A
A
Krieglstein
K
K
Unsicker
K
K
D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D002555:Cerebrospinal Fluid / Q000378:metabolism; D016207:Cytokines; D055436:Growth Differentiation Factor 15; D006801:Humans; D017434:Protein Structure, Tertiary / Q000502:physiology; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D017386:Sequence Homology, Amino Acid; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*
D016207:Cytokines; C526140:GDF15 protein, human; D055436:Growth Differentiation Factor 15; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta