GDNF Receptor alpha 1 Recombinant Protein

Background:

Glial Cell Line-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Family Receptor alpha-1 (GDNFR alpha1) is a glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) linked cell surface protein belonging to GDNF-family receptor alpha subtype which consists of at least four members. GFR alpha1and GFR alpha2 are the cognate co-receptor for the neurotrophic factor neurturin mediating the NRTN-induced autophosphorylation and activation of the RET tyrosine kinase receptor. Soluble GFR alphas released enzymatically from the cell surface by phosphatidylinositol phospholipase C, as well as recombinantly produced soluble GFR alpha1, can also bind with high affinity to GDNF and trigger the activation of Ret tyrosine kinase. Human GFR alpha1 shares 93% amino acid identity with mouse GFR alpha1.The expression of the various GFR alphas are differentially regulated in the central and peripheral nervous system, suggesting complementary roles for the GFR alphas in mediating the activities of the GDNF family of neurotrophic factors.