The GFRA1 (GDNF Family Receptor Alpha-1) antibody is a tool used to detect and study the GFRA1 protein, a key component of the receptor complex for glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF). GFRA1 belongs to the GFRα family of glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored co-receptors that mediate signaling of GDNF ligands, which are critical for neuronal survival, differentiation, and maintenance. Specifically, GFRA1 binds GDNF and partners with the RET receptor tyrosine kinase to activate downstream pathways like MAPK and PI3K/AKT, influencing cell proliferation, migration, and apoptosis. This receptor-ligand system is vital in nervous system development, kidney morphogenesis, and spermatogenesis.
Antibodies targeting GFRA1 are widely used in research to investigate its expression and function in tissues, particularly in neurodegenerative diseases (e.g., Parkinson’s) and cancers (e.g., neuroblastoma, breast cancer), where dysregulated GFRA1 signaling may contribute to pathogenesis. They enable techniques like immunohistochemistry, Western blotting, and flow cytometry. Studies also explore GFRA1's role in stem cell niches and regenerative therapies. Available as monoclonal or polyclonal antibodies, they are typically validated for specificity across species (human, mouse, rat). Understanding GFRA1 dynamics aids in developing therapeutic strategies targeting GDNF pathways for neurological disorders or oncology.