Function and Mechanism of Action
NGF is critical for the survival and maintenance of sympathetic and sensory neurons. Without it, these neurons undergo apoptosis. Nerve growth factor causes axonal growth. Studies have shown that it causes axonal branching and a bit of elongation. NGF binds with at least two classes of receptors: the p75 LNGFR (for "low-affinity nerve growth factor receptor") neurotrophin receptor (p75(NTR)) and TrkA, a transmembrane tyrosine kinase. Both are associated with neurodegenerative disorders.
NGF binds to high-affinity tyrosine kinase receptor TrkA. This phosphorylates TrkA, which leads to the activation of PI 3 Kinase, ras, and PLC signaling pathways.
There is evidence that NGF circulates throughout the entire body and is important for maintaining homeostasis.
Read more about this topic: Nerve Growth Factor
Famous quotes containing the words function, mechanism and/or action:
“Any translation which intends to perform a transmitting function cannot transmit anything but informationhence, something inessential. This is the hallmark of bad translations.”
—Walter Benjamin (18921940)
“Life is an offensive, directed against the repetitious mechanism of the Universe.”
—Alfred North Whitehead (18611947)
“Acts themselves alone are history.... Tell me the acts, O historian, and leave me to reason upon them as I please; away with your reasoning and your rubbish! All that is not action is not worth reading.”
—William Blake (17571827)