GFRalpha-4, a new GDNF family receptor

Mol Cell Neurosci. 1998 Jun;11(3):117-26. doi: 10.1006/mcne.1998.0682.

Abstract

GFRalpha-1, GFRalpha-2, and GFRalpha-3 constitute a family of structurally related, glycosyl-phosphatidylinosital-linked, cell surface proteins, two of which, GFRalpha-1 and GFRalpha-2, are components of the receptor complex for the neurotrophic factors GDNF and neurturin, respectively. By screening an embryonic chicken brain cDNA library with a GFRalpha-1 probe at low stringency, we isolated cDNAs encoding an additional member of the GFRalpha family, GFRalpha-4. The nucleotide sequence predicts a 431-amino-acid secreted protein that is more closely related to GFRalpha-1 and GFRalpha-2 than to GFRalpha-3. GFRalpha-4 mRNA is expressed in distinctive patterns in the brain and several other organs and tissues of the chicken embryo. Our findings extend the family of GFRalpha proteins and provide information about the tissues in which GFRalpha-4 may function during development.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Avian Proteins*
  • Blotting, Northern
  • Brain Chemistry / physiology*
  • Chick Embryo
  • Cloning, Molecular
  • Drosophila Proteins*
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental / physiology
  • Glial Cell Line-Derived Neurotrophic Factor
  • Glial Cell Line-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Receptors
  • Membrane Glycoproteins / chemistry
  • Membrane Glycoproteins / genetics*
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Nerve Growth Factors / genetics
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / chemistry
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / genetics*
  • Neuroprotective Agents / metabolism*
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins / chemistry
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins / genetics*
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-ret
  • RNA, Messenger / analysis
  • Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / chemistry
  • Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / genetics*
  • Receptors, Cell Surface / chemistry
  • Receptors, Cell Surface / genetics*
  • Receptors, Nerve Growth Factor*
  • Sequence Homology, Amino Acid

Substances

  • Avian Proteins
  • Drosophila Proteins
  • GFR receptor alpha 4, Gallus gallus
  • Glial Cell Line-Derived Neurotrophic Factor
  • Glial Cell Line-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Receptors
  • Membrane Glycoproteins
  • Nerve Growth Factors
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins
  • Neuroprotective Agents
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Receptors, Cell Surface
  • Receptors, Nerve Growth Factor
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-ret
  • Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases
  • Ret protein, Drosophila

Associated data

  • GENBANK/AF045162