Growth differentiation factor

Growth differentiation factors (GDFs) are a subfamily of proteins belonging to the transforming growth factor beta superfamily that have functions predominantly in development.^[1]

Types

Several members of this subfamily have been described, and named GDF1 through GDF15.

• embryonic development.^[2]
• iron metabolism by increasing levels of a protein called hepcidin.^[3][4]
• embryonic development and in the thymus, spleen, bone marrow brain, and adipose tissue of adults. It has a dual nature of function; it both inhibits and induces early stages of development in embryos.^[5][6][7]
• neurones that respond to a neurotransmitter called dopamine.^[8][9][10]
• GDF6 interacts with bone morphogenetic proteins to regulate ectoderm patterning, and controls eye development.^[11][12][13]
• GDF8 is now officially known as myostatin and controls the growth of muscle tissue.^[14]
• GDF9, like GDF3, lacks one cysteine relative to other members of the TGF-β superfamily. Its gene expression is limited to the ovaries, and it has a role in ovulation.^[15][16]
• GDF10 is closely related to BMP3 and has a roles in head formation and, it is presumed, in skeletal morphogenesis.^[17][18] It is also known as BMP-3b.
• GDF11 controls anterior-posterior patterning by regulating the expression of Hox genes,^[19] and regulates the number of olfactory receptor neurons occurring in the olfactory epithelium,^[20] and numbers of retinal ganglionic cells developing in the retina.^[21]
• GDF15 (also known as TGF-PL, MIC-1, PDF, PLAB, and PTGFB) has a role in regulating inflammatory and apoptotic pathways during tissue injury and certain disease processes.^[22][23][24]

References