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 . 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 . Acts by binding to its receptor, GFRAL, activating GFRAL-expressing neurons localized in the area postrema and nucleus tractus solitarius of the brainstem . 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 . The GDF15-GFRAL signal induces expression of genes involved in metabolism, such as lipid metabolism in adipose tissues . 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 . In addition to suppress appetite, also promotes weight loss by enhancing energy expenditure in muscle: acts by increasing calcium futile cycling in muscle . 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 . The contribution of GDF15 to weight loss following metformin treatment is however limited and subject to discussion . Produced in response to anticancer drugs, such as camptothecin or cisplatin, promoting nausea, vomiting and contributing to malnutrition . Overproduced in many cancers, promoting anorexia in cancer . 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 . 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 . Promotes metabolic adaptation in response to systemic inflammation caused by bacterial and viral infections in order to promote tissue tolerance and prevent tissue damage . Required for tissue tolerance in response to myocardial infarction by acting as an inhibitor of leukocyte integring activation, thereby protecting against cardiac rupture . Inhibits growth hormone signaling on hepatocytes .

Growth/differentiation factor 15 (GDF-15) (Macrophage inhibitory cytokine 1) (MIC-1) (NSAID-activated gene 1 protein) (NAG-1) (NSAID-regulated gene 1 protein) (NRG-1) (Placental TGF-beta) (Placental bone morphogenetic protein) (Prostate differentiation factor)

q99988

Human

WB,IHC,IP

WB 1:1000
IHC 1:100
IP 1:20-1:50

~35 kD

Rabbit

50mM Tris-Glycine(pH 7.4), 0.15M NaCl, 40% Glycerol, 0.01% sodium azide and 0.05% BSA.

Store at -20°C. Stable for 12 months from date of receipt.