Growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF-15) is a member of the transforming growth factor β cytokine superfamily, the protein is secreted as a 25 kDa disulfide linked dimer [1]. Circulating GDF-15 levels are associated with cancers, cardiovascular and kidney diseases [2-4]. GDF-15 regulates food intake, energy expenditure and body weight in response to metabolic and toxin-induced stresses [5].

References:

[1] Bootcov M. R., et al. (1997)  PNAS; 94:11514-11519.

[2] Welsh J.B., et al. (2003) PNAS;100:3410-3415.

[3] Wang T. J, et al. (2012)  Circulation 126; 1596– 1604.

[4]  Nair V., et al. (2017)  J.Am. Soc. Nephol. 28 2223-2240.

[5] Hsu J-Y, et al. (2017)Nature; 550: 255-259.