Nerve Growth Factor, 2.5S, Murine Product Information

Literature # 9PIG514

Murine 2.5S Nerve Growth Factor is a 26kDa protein composed of two identical 118 amino acid chains. The 2.5S form of murine Nerve Growth Factor originates from the dissociation and proteolytic cleavage of the beta subunit of 7S forms of this neurotrophic factor and is also referred to as beta-NGF. This form mediates phosphorylation of specific intracellular proteins and is solely responsible for the biological activity of both the 2.5S and 7S forms of this neurotrophic factor. Murine 2.5S Nerve Growth Factor is expressed in sympathetic and sensory-innervated peripheral tissues such as the vas deferens, heart, iris, skin, splenic capsule, sciatic nerve and submaxillary gland. At the cellular level, mNGF expression has been demonstrated in lymphocytes, smooth muscle cells, epithelial cells, astrocytes, fibroblasts and Schwann cells. There is a strong correlation between the levels of mNGF mRNA in peripheral tissues and the density of sympathetic innervation. Peripheral neurons that respond to mNGF include adrenergic sympathetic neurons and primary sensory neurons. Cellular responses to this neurotrophic factor include differentiation, neurotic extension and production of catecholamine and neuropeptide-synthesizing enzymes. Murine Nerve Growth Factor binds the "low affinity" NGF receptor (p75^NTR), as do all neurotrophic factors, and it mediates, via p75^NTR signal transduction, the functional response of Schwann cells. mNGF also activates signal transduction by the dimerization and autophosphorylation of the TrkA receptor (also known as Trk and p140^trk).