Glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) family plays a critical role in neurodevelopment and survival of central and peripheral neurons. The biological activity of GDNF family through receptor protein tyrosine kinase Ret and require a ligand specific co-receptor a (GFRa1, binds GDNF, whereas GFRa2 binds NRTN, GFRa3 binds ARTN and GFRa4 binds PSPN). Human GFRa1 is constituted from 465 amino acids and attach to the cell membrane by glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) anchoring manner. It is widely accepted that homodimeric GDNF induce the complex formation of GFRa1 and further the stoichiometry of the signaling complex with GDNF2-GFRa12-Ret2, but the mechanism of complex formation remain unclear.Synonyms: GDNF family receptor alpha-1, GDNF receptor alpha, GDNFRA, GFR-alpha-1, RET ligand 1, RETL1, TGF-beta-related neurotrophic factor receptor 1, TRNR1