GDNF, Official Symbol GDNFprovided by HGNC Official Full Name glial cell derived neurotrophic factorprovided by HGNC Primary source HGNC:HGNC:4232 See related Ensembl:ENSG00000168621 MIM:600837; AllianceGenome:HGNC:4232 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 ATF; ATF1; ATF2; HSCR3; HFB1-GDNF 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 recombinant form of this protein, a highly conserved neurotrophic factor, was shown to promote the survival and differentiation of dopaminergic neurons in culture, and was able to prevent apoptosis of motor neurons induced by axotomy. This protein is a ligand for the product of the RET (rearranged during transfection) protooncogene. Mutations in this gene may be associated with Hirschsprung disease and Tourette syndrome. This gene encodes multiple protein isoforms that may undergo similar proteolytic processing. [provided by RefSeq, Aug 2016] Expression Broad expression in placenta (RPKM 1.7), ovary (RPKM 1.5) and 18 other tissues See more Orthologs mouse all