Receptor for GDNF. Mediates the GDNF-induced autophosphorylation and activation of the RET receptor (By similarity). 2 molecules of GDNFR-alpha are thought to form a complex with the disulfide-linked GDNF dimer and with 2 molecules of RET (By similarity). Interacts with RET (PubMed:23333276). Interacts with SORL1, either alone or in complex with GDNF (PubMed:23333276). Interaction between SORL1 and GFRA1 leads to GFRA1 internalization, but not degradation (PubMed:23333276). Localizes mainly to the plasma membrane. In the presence of SORL1, shifts to vesicular structures, including trans-Golgi network, endosomes and multivesicular bodies. May be produced at very low levels due to a premature stop codon in the mRNA, leading to nonsense-mediated mRNA decay. Belongs to the GDNFR family.