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Promotion of Survival and Differentiation of Neural Stem Cells with Fibrin and Growth Factor Cocktails after Severe Spinal Cord Injury
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Growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF15): A survival protein with therapeutic potential in metabolic diseases

Seung Joon Baek1, Thomas Eling2

  • 1Bldg 81 Rm 413, Laboratory of Signal Transduction, College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University, 1 Gwanak-ro, Gwanak-gu, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea..

Pharmacology & Therapeutics
|February 22, 2019
PubMed

Insights

Growth Differentiation Factor 15 (GDF15) plays a role in cancer and obesity. Its receptor, GFRAL, was recently identified, impacting research on body weight regulation and metabolic diseases.

Area of Science:

  • Endocrinology
  • Metabolic Diseases
  • Oncology

Background:

  • Growth Differentiation Factor 15 (GDF15), also known as NSAID activated gene-1 (NAG-1), is involved in numerous biological processes and diseases, including cancer and obesity.
  • Both intracellular and circulating GDF15 influence energy homeostasis and body weight regulation.
  • GFRAL, a glial-derived neurotrophic factor receptor alpha family member, was recently identified as the receptor for mature GDF15.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the role of GDF15 in cancer and energy homeostasis, focusing on obesity and body weight regulation.
  • To discuss the impact of the GDF15 receptor identification on these research areas.
  • To explore the therapeutic potential of GDF15 in obesity and metabolic diseases.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review focusing on GDF15, GFRAL, cancer, obesity, and metabolic diseases.
  • Analysis of existing studies on GDF15's biological functions and its receptor.
  • Discussion of therapeutic strategies involving GDF15.

Main Results:

  • GDF15 is implicated in cancer and the regulation of energy homeostasis and body weight.
  • The identification of GFRAL as the GDF15 receptor provides new insights into its mechanism of action.
  • GDF15 shows potential as a pharmacological agent for treating obesity and metabolic disorders.

Conclusions:

  • The identification of the GDF15 receptor, GFRAL, has significantly advanced our understanding of GDF15's role in cancer and metabolic regulation.
  • GDF15 represents a promising therapeutic target for obesity and related metabolic diseases.
  • Further research into GDF15 and GFRAL signaling pathways could lead to novel treatment strategies.
Keywords:
AgingAppetite suppressionCancer preventionEnergy metabolismGFRAL receptor complexGrowth differentiation factor 15Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug activated gene-1ObesitySurvival

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