neurotrophin-3

Neurotrophin-3 (NT-3) is a member of the nerve growth factor (NGF) family of neurotrophic factors. It is a protein growth factor encoded by the NTF3 gene in humans and plays a critical role in the development and maintenance of both the peripheral and central nervous systems. NT-3 promotes survival, differentiation, and maintenance of neurons as well as synaptic plasticity. It can stimulate neurogenesis by acting on neural stem cells even in adult brains. Mechanistically, NT-3 primarily signals through tropomyosin receptor kinase C (TrkC), but it can also activate TrkB receptors to some extent. Its biological effects include supporting neuronal survival, encouraging new neuron formation and synapse development, modulating monoamine neurotransmitters (such as dopamine and noradrenaline), boosting brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) signaling pathways, regulating synaptic plasticity and neurogenesis, and influencing hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis activity[2][3][6]. Recombinant forms are used for research purposes; there are no approved pharmaceutical formulations for human therapeutic use at this time[1][5].

Other names

neurotrophin 3neurotrophin3neurotrophin-3NTF3 proteinNTF-3 proteinNTF 3 proteinNT 3 proteinNT3 proteinNT-3 protein