title: GDF-15/MIC-1 a novel member of the TGF-beta superfamily.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Neuroanatomy and Center for Neuroscience, University of Heidelberg, Federal Republic of Germany.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Strelau
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Böttner
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Lingor
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Suter-Crazzolara
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Galter
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Jaszai
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sullivan
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Schober
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Krieglstein
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Unsicker
mesh_terms: 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*
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; C526140:GDF15 protein, human; D055436:Growth Differentiation Factor 15; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta