GDF15 is still a mystery hormone

Casper M Sigvardsen; Michael M Richter; Sarah Engelbeen; Maximilian Kleinert; Erik A Richter

doi:10.1016/j.tem.2024.09.002

GDF15 is still a mystery hormone

Casper M Sigvardsen, Michael M Richter, Sarah Engelbeen, Maximilian Kleinert^*, Erik A Richter^*

^*Corresponding author for this work

Department of Clinical Biochemistry

31 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF15) is a member of the transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) superfamily. Despite its identification over 20 years ago, the functions of GDF15 remain complex and not fully elucidated. Its concentration in plasma varies widely depending on the physiological and pathophysiological state of the organism. GDF15 has been described to regulate food intake and insulin sensitivity in rodents via the GDNF family receptor α-like (GFRAL) receptor, and to be elevated in pregnancy and many disease states and decreased in physically fit individuals. We discuss the latest developments in the regulation of GDF15 secretion and its diverse physiological effects, and touch upon possible GFRAL-independent effects of GDF15. In addition, we discuss the effects of proteins and peptides derived from the same precursor protein as GDF15.

Original language	English
Journal	Trends in Endocrinology and Metabolism
Volume	36
Issue number	6
Pages (from-to)	591-601
Number of pages	11
ISSN	1043-2760
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tem.2024.09.002
Publication status	Published - Jun 2025

Keywords

appetite
energy expenditure
insulin sensitivity
weight loss

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10.1016/j.tem.2024.09.002

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title = "GDF15 is still a mystery hormone",

abstract = "Growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF15) is a member of the transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) superfamily. Despite its identification over 20 years ago, the functions of GDF15 remain complex and not fully elucidated. Its concentration in plasma varies widely depending on the physiological and pathophysiological state of the organism. GDF15 has been described to regulate food intake and insulin sensitivity in rodents via the GDNF family receptor α-like (GFRAL) receptor, and to be elevated in pregnancy and many disease states and decreased in physically fit individuals. We discuss the latest developments in the regulation of GDF15 secretion and its diverse physiological effects, and touch upon possible GFRAL-independent effects of GDF15. In addition, we discuss the effects of proteins and peptides derived from the same precursor protein as GDF15.",

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language = "English",

volume = "36",

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TY - JOUR

T1 - GDF15 is still a mystery hormone

AU - Sigvardsen, Casper M

AU - Richter, Michael M

AU - Engelbeen, Sarah

AU - Kleinert, Maximilian

AU - Richter, Erik A

PY - 2025/6

Y1 - 2025/6

N2 - Growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF15) is a member of the transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) superfamily. Despite its identification over 20 years ago, the functions of GDF15 remain complex and not fully elucidated. Its concentration in plasma varies widely depending on the physiological and pathophysiological state of the organism. GDF15 has been described to regulate food intake and insulin sensitivity in rodents via the GDNF family receptor α-like (GFRAL) receptor, and to be elevated in pregnancy and many disease states and decreased in physically fit individuals. We discuss the latest developments in the regulation of GDF15 secretion and its diverse physiological effects, and touch upon possible GFRAL-independent effects of GDF15. In addition, we discuss the effects of proteins and peptides derived from the same precursor protein as GDF15.

AB - Growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF15) is a member of the transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) superfamily. Despite its identification over 20 years ago, the functions of GDF15 remain complex and not fully elucidated. Its concentration in plasma varies widely depending on the physiological and pathophysiological state of the organism. GDF15 has been described to regulate food intake and insulin sensitivity in rodents via the GDNF family receptor α-like (GFRAL) receptor, and to be elevated in pregnancy and many disease states and decreased in physically fit individuals. We discuss the latest developments in the regulation of GDF15 secretion and its diverse physiological effects, and touch upon possible GFRAL-independent effects of GDF15. In addition, we discuss the effects of proteins and peptides derived from the same precursor protein as GDF15.

KW - appetite

KW - energy expenditure

KW - insulin sensitivity

KW - weight loss

UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/85207765957

U2 - 10.1016/j.tem.2024.09.002

DO - 10.1016/j.tem.2024.09.002

M3 - Review

C2 - 39472228

SN - 1043-2760

VL - 36

SP - 591

EP - 601

JO - Trends in Endocrinology and Metabolism

JF - Trends in Endocrinology and Metabolism

IS - 6

ER -

GDF15 is still a mystery hormone

Abstract

Keywords

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