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General description of the gene and the encoded protein(s) using information from HGNC and Ensembl, as well as predictions made by the Human Protein Atlas project.
Gene namei
Official gene symbol, which is typically a short form of the gene name, according to HGNC.
Assigned HPA protein class(es) for the encoded protein(s).
Cancer-related genes Disease related genes Plasma proteins
Predicted locationi
All transcripts of all genes have been analyzed regarding the location(s) of corresponding protein based on prediction methods for signal peptides and transmembrane regions.
Genes with at least one transcript predicted to encode a secreted protein, according to prediction methods or to UniProt location data, have been further annotated and classified with the aim to determine if the corresponding protein(s) are secreted or actually retained in intracellular locations or membrane-attached.
Remaining genes, with no transcript predicted to encode a secreted protein, will be assigned the prediction-based location(s).
The annotated location overrules the predicted location, so that a gene encoding a predicted secreted protein that has been annotated as intracellular will have intracellular as the final location.
Gene information from Ensembl and Entrez, as well as links to available gene identifiers are displayed here. Information was retrieved from Ensembl if not indicated otherwise.
Chromosome
19
Cytoband
p13.11
Chromosome location (bp)
18374731 - 18389176
Number of transcriptsi
Number of protein-coding transcripts from the gene as defined by Ensembl.
Useful information about the protein provided by UniProt.
Hormone produced in response to various stresses to confer information about those stresses to the brain, and trigger an aversive response, characterized by nausea, vomiting, and/or loss of appetite 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11. The aversive response is both required to reduce continuing exposure to those stresses at the time of exposure and to promote avoidance behavior in the future 12,13,14. Acts by binding to its receptor, GFRAL, activating GFRAL-expressing neurons localized in the area postrema and nucleus tractus solitarius of the brainstem 15,16,17,18,19. It then triggers the activation of neurons localized within the parabrachial nucleus and central amygdala, which constitutes part of the 'emergency circuit' that shapes responses to stressful conditions 20. The GDF15-GFRAL signal induces expression of genes involved in metabolism, such as lipid metabolism in adipose tissues 21. Required for avoidance behavior in response to food allergens: induced downstream of mast cell activation to promote aversion and minimize harmful effects of exposure to noxious substances (By similarity). In addition to suppress appetite, also promotes weight loss by enhancing energy expenditure in muscle: acts by increasing calcium futile cycling in muscle (By similarity). Contributes to the effect of metformin, an anti-diabetic drug, on appetite reduction and weight loss: produced in the kidney in response to metformin treatment, thereby activating the GDF15-GFRAL response, leading to reduced appetite and weight 22,23. The contribution of GDF15 to weight loss following metformin treatment is however limited and subject to discussion 24. Produced in response to anticancer drugs, such as camptothecin or cisplatin, promoting nausea, vomiting and contributing to malnutrition (By similarity). Overproduced in many cancers, promoting anorexia in cancer (cachexia) 25. Responsible for the risk of nausea and vomiting during pregnancy: high levels of GDF15 during pregnancy, mostly originating from the fetus, are associated with increased nausea and vomiting 26. Maternal sensitivity to nausea is probably determined by pre-pregnancy exposure to GDF15, women with naturally high level of GDF15 being less susceptible to nausea than women with low levels of GDF15 before pregnancy 27. Promotes metabolic adaptation in response to systemic inflammation caused by bacterial and viral infections in order to promote tissue tolerance and prevent tissue damage 28. Required for tissue tolerance in response to myocardial infarction by acting as an inhibitor of leukocyte integring activation, thereby protecting against cardiac rupture (By similarity). Inhibits growth hormone signaling on hepatocytes (By similarity)....show less
Molecular function (UniProt)i
Keywords assigned by UniProt to proteins due to their particular molecular function.
Cytokine, Hormone
Gene summary (Entrez)i
Useful information about the gene from Entrez
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 protein is expressed in a broad range of cell types, acts as a pleiotropic cytokine and is involved in the stress response program of cells after cellular injury. Increased protein levels are associated with disease states such as tissue hypoxia, inflammation, acute injury and oxidative stress. [provided by RefSeq, Aug 2016]...show less
PROTEIN INFORMATIONi
The protein information section displays alternative protein-coding transcripts (splice variants) encoded by this gene according to the Ensembl database.
The Splice variant identifier links to the Ensembl website protein summary for the selected splice variant. The data in the Swissprot and TrEMBL columns links to corresponding pages in the UniProt database.
The protein classes assigned to this protein are shown if expanding the data in the protein class column. Parent protein classes are in bold font and subclasses are listed under the parent class.
The length of the protein (amino acid residues according to Ensembl), molecular mass (kDalton), predicted signal peptide and number of predicted transmembrane region(s) according to in-house majority decision methods based on sets of predictors are also reported.
The Human Protein Atlas project is funded
