Function
Nerve growth factor (NGF) belongs to the family of neurotrophins. NGF promotes survival and differentiation of sensory and sympathetic neurons. NGF signaling furthers neuroprotective and repair functions[1]. NGF interacts with 2 transmembrane receptors - TrkA and p75.
Relevance
Increased cerebrospinal fluid levels of proNGF mark the onset of mild cognitive impairment and the transition to Alzheimer disease suggest that NGF is a potential Alzheimer biomarker[2].
Structural highlights
The 3D structure of the complex between human NGF and one of its receptors - TrkA - shows the receptor D-5 domain Ig-like structure flanking the NGF homodimer. Various side chains form the interaction between NGF and its receptor with a totally buried NGF Arg residue forming the strongest one[3].
- ↑ Sofroniew MV, Howe CL, Mobley WC. Nerve growth factor signaling, neuroprotection, and neural repair. Annu Rev Neurosci. 2001;24:1217-81. doi: 10.1146/annurev.neuro.24.1.1217. PMID:11520933 doi:https://dx.doi.org/10.1146/annurev.neuro.24.1.1217
- ↑ Mufson EJ, Counts SE, Ginsberg SD, Mahady L, Perez SE, Massa SM, Longo FM, Ikonomovic MD. Nerve Growth Factor Pathobiology During the Progression of Alzheimer's Disease. Front Neurosci. 2019 Jul 1;13:533. doi: 10.3389/fnins.2019.00533. eCollection, 2019. PMID:31312116 doi:https://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fnins.2019.00533
- ↑ Wiesmann C, Ultsch MH, Bass SH, de Vos AM. Crystal structure of nerve growth factor in complex with the ligand-binding domain of the TrkA receptor. Nature. 1999 Sep 9;401(6749):184-8. PMID:10490030 doi:10.1038/43705