GFR alpha1, IN, Blocking Peptide (Glycosylphosphadidylinositol linked Protein, GDNFRa, Ret ligand 1,

Peptide corresponding to amino acids 369 to 382 of human GFRa-1 (1). This peptide is used as the immunogen for catalog no. G2033-01., , Glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) is a potent survival factor for central and peripheral neurons and is essential for the development of kidneys and the enteric nerves system. Physiological responses to GDNF require the presence of a novel glycosylphosphadidylinositol linked protein GDNFRa, which is a cell surface receptor for GDNF (1,2). The cDNAs encoding GDNFRa from human, rat, chicken and mouse have been cloned recently (1-5). GDNFRa was also termed Ret ligand 1 (RETL1) or TGF-b-related neurotrophic factor receptor 1 (TrnR1) and nominated as GFRa-1 recently (5-7). GFRa-1 binds GDNF specifically and mediates activation of the Ret protein tyrosine kinase (PTK). Thus, GDNF, GFRa and the Ret PTK form a complex to transduce GDNF signal and to mediate GDNF function.