Recombinant human GDNF protein (Qk051)

Product: Qk051 Category: Stem cells

Price range: £250.00 through £3,190.00

Recombinant human GDNF protein (Qk051) - Image 3

Recombinant human GDNF protein (Qk051) - Image 4

Glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) is a member of neurotrophin family and GDNF family of ligands (GFL). GDNF plays a crucial role in the development, growth, and survival of neurons in particular midbrain dopaminergic neurons. GNDF is used to maintain neurons and cortical organoids and to differentiate dopaminergic neurons from human pluripotent stem cell-derived neural progenitors. GDNF also facilitates the differentiation of neural progenitors to astrocytes.

Recombinant human GDNF bioactive 30 kDa homodimer. This protein is animal origin-free (AOF), carrier protein-free, and tag-free to ensure its purity with exceptional lot-to-lot consistency.

Qkine GDNF is also available as cell therapy grade with extended quality testing and documentation – Qk051-CTG

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Price range: £250.00 through £3,190.00

1000 µg will be dispatched as 2 x 500 µg.

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Summary:

High purity GDNF (Uniprot: P39905)

30.4 kDa (dimer)
>98%, by SDS-PAGE quantitative densitometry
Expressed in E. coli
Animal origin-free (AOF) and carrier protein-free
Manufactured in our Cambridge, UK laboratories
Lyophilized from acetonitrile, TFA
Resuspend in sterile-filtered water at >50 µg/ml, add carrier protein if desired, prepare single use aliquots and store frozen at -20 °C (short-term) or -80 °C (long-term).

Handling and storage FAQ

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Featured applications:

Differentiation of midbrain dopaminergic neurons

Alternative protein names

Species reactivity

Frequently used together

Related discovery kits

Dopaminergic neuron differentiation kit (Qk517)

Alternative proteins

GDNF activity was determined using a SH-SY5Y cell proliferation assay. Cells were incubated with different concentrations of GDNF in the presence of retinoic acid and recombinant GFR α1 for 3 days before viable cell measurement using an MTS assay. Data are n=2. EC50 = 18 ng/ml. Data from Qk051 batch #104372.

GDNF migrates as a single band at 30 kDa in non-reducing (NR) conditions and 15 kDa upon reduction (R). No contaminating protein bands are visible. Purified recombinant protein (3 µg) was resolved using 15% w/v SDS-PAGE in reduced (+β-mercaptothanol, R) and non-reduced (NR) conditions and stained with Coomassie Brilliant Blue R250. Data from Qk051 batch #104372.

Further quality assays

Mass spectrometry: single species with expected mass
Recovery from stock vial: >95%
Endotoxin: <0.05 EU/μg protein

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MSDS file

We are a company founded and run by scientists to provide a service and support innovation in stem cell biology and regenerative medicine. All our products are exceptionally high purity, with complete characterisation and bioactivity analysis on every lot.

Qkine GDNF (Qk051) bioactivity was compared with an alternative supplier (Supplier B) using a SH-SY5Y cell proliferation assay (as above). Qkine GDNF was found to have higher bioactivity than Supplier B GDNF. Qk051 EC50 = 18 ng/ml, Supplier B EC50 = 26 ng/ml, P = 0.018

Technote | GDNF bioactivity

GDNF remained bioactive under all storage conditions. Bioactivity was determined using an SH-SY5Y cell proliferation assay; cells were incubated with different concentrations of GDNF (Qk051) in the presence of retinoic acid and recombinant GFR α1 for 3 days before viable cell measurement using an MTS assay. (A) Bioactivity of control GDNF (freshly reconstituted and diluted from protein stored lyophilized at -80 °C) compared with protein stored in PBS + 0.1% BSA at -20 °C for one month. (B) Bioactivity of a control protein compared with protein stored in PBS + 0.1% BSA at 4 °C for one month. (C) Bioactivity of control protein compared with protein stored in cell culture medium at 4 °C for one month.

Technote | GDNF stability

Protein background

Glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) is a neurotrophic factor and a member of the GDNF family of ligands (GFL) which include neurturin, artemin, and persephin [1,2]. GFLs regulate several biological processes including cell survival, cell proliferation, cell differentiation, cell migration, and neurite outgrowth [1,3,4]. GDNF protein plays a crucial role in the development, growth, and survival of neurons in particular midbrain dopaminergic neurons [5]. It promotes the axon growth and innervation of dopamine neurons. It also facilitates the differentiation of neural progenitors to astrocytes and is involved in neuroprotection[6,7]. In addition, it is involved in kidney development and spermatogenesis [8,9].

In cell culture, GDNF supports the survival and growth of neurons and astrocytes. It is used in combination with other growth factors to differentiate human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived neural progenitors into neurons and astrocytes. GDNF is used for the differentiation, survival, and maturation of dopaminergic neurons with brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), FGF-8a/FGF-8b, and Shh [10-13]. Glutamatergic and GABAergic neurons are obtained with combinations of BDNF, GDNF, NT-3, or insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) [14-16]. Also, the culture of cortical organoids requires BDNF and GDNF for maturation [17,18]. Finally, it can be used to generate and maintain astrocytes along with ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) and leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) [19-21].

GDNF is mainly produced and released by glial cells such as astrocytes, Schwann cells, and satellite cells [22]. It is a homodimer of a molecular weight of 30 kDa which belongs to the cystine-knot protein family [1,23]. The GFLs act as biologically active homodimers that signal through the transmembrane RET receptor tyrosine kinase [24]. GFL activation of RET is dependent upon co-receptors, namely the four GDNF Family Receptor α (GFRα1-4). GFL signalling specificity arises from the preferentially binding of each ligand to one of the four GFRα receptors; GDNF preferentially binds GFRα1 with high affinity [1,24].

GDNF has shown promise in various therapeutic applications neurodegenerative diseases and disorders such as Parkinson’s disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Huntington’s disease, peripheral nerve and spinal cord injuries [1,25]. The idea is to harness GDNF for clinical use to promote the survival and function of dopaminergic neurons, potentially slowing or reversing the progression of these diseases. Clinical trials using it has shown improved motor function in patients with Parkinson’s disease [26,27]. Finally, GDNF has also been proposed for the treatment of drug addiction and alcoholism [25].

Background references

[1] Airaksinen, M. S. & Saarma, M. The GDNF family: Signalling, biological functions and therapeutic value. Nat. Rev. Neurosci. 3, 383–394 (2002). doi: 10.1038/nrn812
[2] von dem Bussche, M. & Tuszynski, M. H. Growth Factors: Neuronal Atrophy. in Encyclopedia of Neuroscience (ed. Squire, L. R.) 987–992 (Academic Press, 2009). doi:10.1016/B978-008045046-9.00143-1.
[3] Airaksinen, M. S., Titievsky, A. & Saarma, M. GDNF Family Neurotrophic Factor Signaling: Four Masters, One Servant? Mol. Cell. Neurosci. 13, 313–325 (1999). doi: 10.1006/mcne.1999.0754
[4] Baloh, R. H., Enomoto, H., Johnson, E. M. & Milbrandt, J. The GDNF family ligands and receptors — implications for neural development. Curr. Opin. Neurobiol. 10, 103–110 (2000). doi: 10.1016/s0959-4388(99)00048-3
[5] Akerud, P., Alberch, J., Eketjäll, S., Wagner, J. & Arenas, E. Differential effects of glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor and neurturin on developing and adult substantia nigra dopaminergic neurons. J. Neurochem. 73, 70–78 (1999). doi: 10.1046/j.1471-4159.1999.0730070.x
[6] Parsadanian, A., Pan, Y., Li, W., Myckatyn, T. M. & Brakefield, D. Astrocyte-derived transgene GDNF promotes complete and long-term survival of adult facial motoneurons following avulsion and differentially regulates the expression of transcription factors of AP-1 and ATF/CREB families. Exp. Neurol. 200, 26–37 (2006). doi: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2006.01.014
[7] Boku, S. et al. GDNF facilitates differentiation of the adult dentate gyrus-derived neural precursor cells into astrocytes via STAT3. Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 434, 779–784 (2013). doi.org/10.1016/j.bbrc.2013.04.011
[8] Costantini, F. & Shakya, R. GDNF/Ret signaling and the development of the kidney. BioEssays News Rev. Mol. Cell. Dev. Biol. 28, 117–127 (2006). doi.org/10.1002/bies.20357
[9] Hofmann, M.-C. Gdnf signaling pathways within the mammalian spermatogonial stem cell niche. Mol. Cell. Endocrinol. 288, 95–103 (2008). doi: 10.1016/j.mce.2008.04.012
[10] Granholm, A.-C. et al. Glial Cell Line-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Is Essential for Postnatal Survival of Midbrain Dopamine Neurons. J. Neurosci. 20, 3182–3190 (2000). doi.org/10.1523/JNEUROSCI.20-09-03182.2000
[11] Perrier, A. L. et al. Derivation of midbrain dopamine neurons from human embryonic stem cells. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U. S. A. 101, 12543–12548 (2004). doi.org/10.1073/pnas.0404700101
[12] Brennand, K. et al. Modeling schizophrenia using hiPSC neurons. Nature 473, 221–225 (2011). doi: 10.1038/nature09915
[13] Kriks, S. et al. Dopamine neurons derived from human ES cells efficiently engraft in animal models of Parkinson’s disease. Nature 480, 547–551 (2011). doi.org/10.1038/nature10648
[14] Fernandopulle, M. S. et al. Transcription-factor mediated differentiation of human iPSCs into neurons. Curr. Protoc. Cell Biol. 79, e51 (2018). doi: 10.1002/cpcb.51
[15] Li, X.-J. et al. Specification of motoneurons from human embryonic stem cells. Nat. Biotechnol. 23, 215–221 (2005). doi: 10.1038/nbt1063
[16] Lin, L., Yuan, J., Sander, B. & Golas, M. M. In Vitro Differentiation of Human Neural Progenitor Cells Into Striatal GABAergic Neurons. Stem Cells Transl. Med. 4, 775–788 (2015). doi: 10.5966/sctm.2014-0083
[17] McComish, S. F. & Caldwell, M. A. Generation of defined neural populations from pluripotent stem cells. Philos. Trans. R. Soc. B Biol. Sci. 373, 20170214 (2018). doi: 10.1098/rstb.2017.0214
[18] Jacob, F. et al. Human Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Neural Cells and Brain Organoids Reveal SARS-CoV-2 Neurotropism Predominates in Choroid Plexus Epithelium. Cell Stem Cell 27, 937-950.e9 (2020). doi: 10.1016/j.stem.2020.09.016
[19] Krencik, R., Weick, J. P., Liu, Y., Zhang, Z. & Zhang, S.-C. Specification of Transplantable Astroglial Subtypes from Human Pluripotent Stem Cells. Nat. Biotechnol. 29, 528–534 (2011). doi: 10.1038/nbt.1877
[20] Serio, A. et al. Astrocyte pathology and the absence of non-cell autonomy in an induced pluripotent stem cell model of TDP-43 proteinopathy. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U. S. A. 110, 4697–4702 (2013). doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1300398110
[21] Gunhanlar, N. et al. A simplified protocol for differentiation of electrophysiologically mature neuronal networks from human induced pluripotent stem cells. Mol. Psychiatry 23, 1336–1344 (2018). doi.org/10.1038/mp.2017.56
[22] Rocha, S. M., Cristovão, A. C., Campos, F. L., Fonseca, C. P. & Baltazar, G. Astrocyte-derived GDNF is a potent inhibitor of microglial activation. Neurobiol. Dis. 47, 407–415 (2012). doi: 10.1016/j.nbd.2012.04.014
[23] Ibáñez, C. F. Emerging themes in structural biology of neurotrophic factors. Trends Neurosci. 21, 438–444 (1998). doi: 10.1016/s0166-2236(98)01266-1
[24] Takahashi, M. The GDNF/RET signaling pathway and human diseases. Cytokine Growth Factor Rev. 12, 361–373 (2001). doi: 10.1016/s1359-6101(01)00012-0
[25] Hsieh, J. C. & Penn, R. D. Chapter 44 - Infusion Therapy for Movement Disorders. in Neuromodulation (eds. Krames, E. S., Peckham, P. H. & Rezai, A. R.) 561–570 (Academic Press, 2009). doi:10.1016/B978-0-12-374248-3.00045-8.
[26] Manfredsson, F. P. et al. The Future of GDNF in Parkinson’s Disease. Front. Aging Neurosci. 12, (2020). doi.org/10.3389/fnagi.2020.593572
[27] Barker, R. A. et al. GDNF and Parkinson’s Disease: Where Next? A Summary from a Recent Workshop. J. Park. Dis. 10, 875–891. doi: 10.3233/JPD-202004

Customer & collaborator data

Morphological and viability assessment of embryoid bodies and dissociated motor neurons cultured with BDNF (Qk050) and GDNF (Qk051).

Brightfield images representing EBs at day 15 (EB15) of differentiation protocol (scale bar = 250 µm) and dissociated MNs from the same EBs after 2 (DIV2) and 5 (DIV5) days in vitro (scale bar = 100 µm).

Application note | Animal origin-free BDNF and GDNF neural growth factors for enhanced iPSC-derived neuronal cultures

Additional resources

Publications using Recombinant human GDNF protein (Qk051)

Human retinal ganglion cell neurons generated by synchronous BMP inhibition and transcription factor mediated reprogramming
Agarwal D et al.
DOI: doi: 10.1038/s41536-023-00327-x
Differentiation of RGC Induced Neurons (RGC-iNs)
Agarwal D & Wahlin K
DOI: dx.doi.org/10.17504/protocols.io.14egn2pqzg5d/v2
Parkinson’s associated protein DJ-1 regulates intercellular communication via extracellular vesicles in oxidative stress
Page T, Musi CA, Bakker SE et al.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-5669239/v1
Synchronous 3D patterning of diverse CNS progenitors generates motor neurons of broad axial identity
Buchner F, Dokuzluoglu Z, Thomas J et al.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1101/2024.12.13.628384
Isogenic cortical organoids enable precision targeting of APP variant-specific pathways in Alzheimer’s disease
Grass T, Cosacak IM, Ordureau A et al.
DOI: doi.org/10.64898/2026.02.19.706886

FAQ

What is the function of GDNF?

GDNF protein plays a crucial role in the development, growth, and survival of midbrain dopaminergic neurons.

Which cells release GDNF?

GDNF is mainly released by glial cells such as astrocytes, Schwann cells, and satellite cells.

What are examples of neurotrophic factors?

Neurotrophic factors (also known as neurotrophins) include Nerve Growth Factor (NGF), Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF), Glial-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (GDNF), Neurotrophin-3 (NT-3), and Neurotrophin-4/5 (NT-4/5).

How is GDNF used to treat Parkinson’s disease?

GDNF has shown potential therapeutic applications for Parkinson’s disease. Clinical trials using it has shown improved motor function which could slow the progression of the disease.

How is GDNF used in cell culture?

GDNF is used as a growth factor which is supplemented in cell culture media to promote the differentiation, growth, and maturation of dopaminergic neurons.

What is the difference between NGF, GDNF and BDNF?

NGF, GDNF, and BDNF are all part of the neurotrophins or neurotrophic factors family. They all regulate the development, growth, and survival of neurons and have more specific roles. NGF is associated with the growth and maintenance of sensory and sympathetic neurons. BDNF and GDNF are both associated with dopaminergic, glutamatergic, and GABAergic neurons. In addition, BDNF plays a crucial role in synapses formation whereas GDNF is involved in the growth and maintenance of other glial cells such as astrocytes.

What is the function of GDNF?

GDNF protein plays a crucial role in the development, growth, and survival of midbrain dopaminergic neurons.

Which cells release GDNF?

GDNF is mainly released by glial cells such as astrocytes, Schwann cells, and satellite cells.

What are examples of neurotrophic factors?

How is GDNF used to treat Parkinson’s disease?

GDNF has shown potential therapeutic applications for Parkinson’s disease. Clinical trials using it has shown improved motor function which could slow the progression of the disease.

How is GDNF used in cell culture?

GDNF is used as a growth factor which is supplemented in cell culture media to promote the differentiation, growth, and maturation of dopaminergic neurons.

What do neurotrophin proteins do?

Neurotrophin proteins regulate neuronal growth and survival, neuroprotection, neurotransmitter release, synaptic function, and plasticity within the adult central and peripheral nervous system.

What is the role of neurotrophins in programmed cell death?

Neurotrophins promote the survival and growth of neurons by inhibiting apoptosis (programmed cell death) in a process called neuroprotection.

Our products are for research use only and not for diagnostic or therapeutic use. Products are not for resale.

For use in manufacturing of cellular or gene therapy products. Not intended for in vivo applications.

What others are saying

Very happy with this product. My neuronal cultures look very healthy and there has been no difference in morphology or mechanism of the neurons since switching from a more expensive competitive brand. Our lab will be continuing to purchase.

hh495 - February 17, 2023

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Recombinant human GDNF protein (Qk051)

Summary:

Featured applications:

Further quality assays

Protein background

Customer & collaborator data

Additional resources

Publications using Recombinant human GDNF protein (Qk051)

Human retinal ganglion cell neurons generated by synchronous BMP inhibition and transcription factor mediated reprogramming

Differentiation of RGC Induced Neurons (RGC-iNs)

Parkinson’s associated protein DJ-1 regulates intercellular communication via extracellular vesicles in oxidative stress

Synchronous 3D patterning of diverse CNS progenitors generates motor neurons of broad axial identity

Isogenic cortical organoids enable precision targeting of APP variant-specific pathways in Alzheimer’s disease

FAQ

What others are saying

hh495 - February 17, 2023

Receive a Qkine gift card when you leave us a review.

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