rat nerve growth factor

Rat nerve growth factor (NGF) is a neurotrophic protein belonging to the neurotrophin family and is primarily responsible for the regulation of growth, maintenance, proliferation, and survival of certain neurons in the peripheral and central nervous systems. The biologically active form is typically the beta subunit (beta-NGF or 2.5S NGF), which functions as a homodimer of two 120-amino acid polypeptides. In rats, NGF plays a critical role in supporting sympathetic and sensory neurons as well as basal forebrain cholinergic neurons[3][4][5]. It also has pleiotropic effects on non-neuronal tissues including immune modulation—promoting mast cell proliferation and histamine release—and can influence B lymphocyte differentiation and neutrophil survival[3]. Mechanistically, NGF binds to two main receptors on target cells: Tropomyosin receptor kinase A (TrkA) with high affinity to promote neuronal survival/growth via pathways such as NF-κB activation; and p75 neurotrophin receptor (p75NTR), which can mediate either cell survival or apoptosis depending on context[4]. Recombinant forms are used extensively in research for studying neural development/regeneration models in rats.

Other names

nerve growth factor (rat)recombinant rat beta-NGFproNGF (precursor form)