GFRA2, Official Symbol GFRA2provided by HGNC Official Full Name GDNF family receptor alpha 2provided by HGNC Primary source HGNC:HGNC:4244 See related Ensembl:ENSG00000168546 MIM:601956; AllianceGenome:HGNC:4244 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 NTNRA; RETL2; TRNR2; GDNFRB; NRTNR-ALPHA Summary Glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) and neurturin (NTN) are two structurally related, potent neurotrophic factors that play key roles in the control of neuron survival and differentiation. The protein encoded by this gene is a member of the GDNF receptor family. It is a glycosylphosphatidylinositol(GPI)-linked cell surface receptor for both GDNF and NTN, and mediates activation of the RET tyrosine kinase receptor. This encoded protein acts preferentially as a receptor for NTN compared to its other family member, GDNF family receptor alpha 1. This gene is a candidate gene for RET-associated diseases. Multiple transcript variants encoding different isoforms have been found for this gene. [provided by RefSeq, Sep 2009] Expression Broad expression in spleen (RPKM 6.1), thyroid (RPKM 5.3) and 19 other tissues See more Orthologs mouse all