GDF15, Official Symbol GDF15provided by HGNC Official Full Name growth differentiation factor 15provided by HGNC Primary source HGNC:HGNC:30142 See related Ensembl:ENSG00000130513 MIM:605312; AllianceGenome:HGNC:30142 Gene type protein coding RefSeq status REVIEWED Organism Homo sapiens Lineage Eukaryota; Metazoa; Chordata; Craniata; Vertebrata; Euteleostomi; Mammalia; Eutheria; Euarchontoglires; Primates; Haplorrhini; Catarrhini; Hominidae; Homo Also known as PDF; MIC1; PLAB; MIC-1; NAG-1; PTGFB; GDF-15 Summary This gene encodes a secreted ligand of the TGF-beta (transforming growth factor-beta) superfamily of proteins. Ligands of this family bind various TGF-beta receptors leading to recruitment and activation of SMAD family transcription factors that regulate gene expression. The encoded preproprotein is proteolytically processed to generate each subunit of the disulfide-linked homodimer. The protein is expressed in a broad range of cell types, acts as a pleiotropic cytokine and is involved in the stress response program of cells after cellular injury. Increased protein levels are associated with disease states such as tissue hypoxia, inflammation, acute injury and oxidative stress. [provided by RefSeq, Aug 2016] Expression Biased expression in placenta (RPKM 62.0), prostate (RPKM 53.1) and 11 other tissues See more Orthologs mouse all