抗衰老的GDF11生物学特征与功能表现

生长分化因子11（growth differentiation factor-11, GDF11）是转化生长因子β(transforming growth factor-β, TGF-β) 超家族中骨形态发生蛋白（bone morphogenetic proteins，BMPs）亚家族中的一个重要成员，在哺乳动物的骨骼、肾等多种器官组织上均有表达，且在胚胎发育、骨骼和肌肉形成等方面起着重要作用。近年研究发现，GDF11与哺乳动物的抗衰老作用联系越来越紧密。本文整理国内外关于GDF11与衰老关系的研究，对 GDF11生物学基础以及对动物心脏的衰老、认知能力以及骨骼肌肉等方面的影响进行了综述。我们认为，GDF11作为一种新的细胞因子，可以调控多种下游信号通路，其作用的方式及影响还有待研究。GDF11研究可为在抗衰老以及与衰老相关疾病的治疗提供一定的理论基础。

The Characteristics and Anti-aging Function of GDF11

Growth differentiation factor-11 (GDF11) is an important member of the bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) subfamily branched from the transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) superfamily. In mammals, Gdf11 was widely expressed in various tissues and organs, such as skeleton, kidney, etc. GDF11 also plays an important role in a variety of biological processes, including embryonic development, skeleton and muscle formation. Recently, increasing studies showed that GDF11 was closely related to rejuvenation, however, several controvert reports were existed. Thus, whether there is a relation between GDF11 and anti senescence effect needs to be discussed. In this review, recent literature about GDF11 was analyzed with the emphasis on biological function and signal transduction pathways. The effects of GDF11 on heart function, brain cognitive competence, the structure and function of skeletal and muscle in aging mammals were stratified. We prostituted that GDF11 might have different functions by regulating distinct downstream signal pathways, then gave diverse results in different studies.