Brainstem-restricted receptor for GDF15 hormone, which triggers an aversive response, characterized by nausea, vomiting, and/or loss of appetite in response to various stresses (PubMed:28846097, PubMed:28846098, PubMed:28846099, PubMed:28953886, PubMed:36630958). The aversive response is both required to reduce continuing exposure to those stresses at the time of exposure and to promote avoidance behavior in the future (PubMed:28846097, PubMed:28846098, PubMed:28846099, PubMed:28953886, PubMed:36630958). The GDF15-GFRAL aversive response is triggered by stresses, such as anticancer drugs (camptothecin or cisplatin), cancers or drugs such as metformin (PubMed:32661391). Upon interaction with its ligand, GDF15, mediates the GDF15-induced autophosphorylation and activation of the RET tyrosine kinase receptor, leading to activation of MAPK- and AKT- signaling pathways (PubMed:31535977, PubMed:32661391). Ligand- binding activates GFRAL-expressing neurons localized in the area postrema and nucleus tractus solitarius of the brainstem (By similarity). The GDF15-GFRAL signal induces expression of genes involved in metabolism, such as lipid metabolism in adipose tissues (PubMed:32661391). {ECO:0000250|UniProtKB:Q6SJE0, ECO:0000269|PubMed:28846097, ECO:0000269|PubMed:28846098, ECO:0000269|PubMed:28846099, ECO:0000269|PubMed:28953886, ECO:0000269|PubMed:31535977, ECO:0000269|PubMed:32661391, ECO:0000269|PubMed:36630958}. This is the function of GFRAL (GDNF family receptor alpha like, ENSG00000187871).