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Trks: signal transduction and intracellular pathways
1Center for Developmental Biology, University of Texas, Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas 75235-9133, USA.
Microscopy Research and Technique
|June 26, 1999
Summary
Neurotrophins like nerve growth factor (NGF) promote neuron survival and differentiation by activating Trk receptors. This review details how specific intracellular signaling cascades, such as ras/extracellular regulated kinase (ERK) and PI 3-kinase, mediate NGF
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Molecular Biology
- Cell Signaling
Background:
- Neurotrophins are crucial growth factors for neuronal development.
- They signal through Trk receptor tyrosine kinases.
- Trk activation initiates intracellular cascades like ras/ERK and PI 3-kinase.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the roles of specific intracellular signaling cascades in neurotrophin-mediated cellular responses.
- To focus on the effects of nerve growth factor (NGF) activating TrkA.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies on neurotrophin signaling.
- Analysis of evidence implicating specific signaling pathways.
Main Results:
- Neurotrophins, particularly NGF, exert diverse cellular effects through distinct signaling pathways.
- The ras/ERK and PI 3-kinase cascades are key mediators of neurotrophin actions.
Conclusions:
- Specific intracellular signaling cascades are essential for mediating the cellular responses to neurotrophins.
- Understanding these pathways is vital for comprehending neuronal development and function.