Neurotrophins are small proteins vital for neuronal growth, differentiation, survival, and plasticity [1]. Members of the mammalian neurotrophin family include nerve growth factor (NGF), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), neurotrophin-3 (NT-3), and neurotro‐ phin-4/5 (NT-4/5). Their neurotrophic effects are mediated by the tropomyosin receptor kin‐ ase (Trk) receptors, membrane-bound rec...

Cockayne syndrome (CS) is a severe neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by growth abnormalities, premature aging, and photosensitivity. Mutation of Cockayne syndrome B (CSB) affects neuronal gene expression and differentiation, so we attempted to bypass its function by expressing downstream target genes. Intriguingly, ectopic expression of Synaptotagmin 9 (SYT9), a key component of the mac...

The intracellular domain of the p75 neurotrophin receptor (p75ICD) can be released by gamma-secretase in response to the previous activation of alpha-secretase by phorbol esters. However, ligand-dependent release of p75ICD has yet to be described. We show here that nerve growth factor can induce the release of p75ICD and facilitate its translocation to the nucleus in a gamma-secretase-dependent...

In the nervous system, communication between neurons and their post-synaptic target cells is critical for the formation, refinement and maintenance of functional neuronal connections. Diffusible signals secreted by target tissues, exemplified by the family of neurotrophins, impinge on nerve terminals to influence diverse developmental events including neuronal survival and axonal growth. Key me...

Early life stress (ELS) is implicated in the etiology of multiple psychiatric disorders. Important biological effects of ELS are manifested in stress-susceptible regions of the hippocampus and are partially mediated by long-term effects on glucocorticoid (GC) and/or neurotrophin signaling pathways. GC-signaling mediates the regulation of stress response to maintain homeostasis, while neurotroph...

During neuronal development, neurotrophins are essential factors that promote survival, differentiation and myelination of neurons. The trophic signals are relayed to the cells via binding to Trk receptor tyrosine kinases and the p75 neurotrophin receptor. Paradoxically, the p75 neurotrophin receptor also ensures rapid and appropriate apoptosis of neonatal neurons not reaching their proper targ...

A role for neurotrophins in mature primary sensory neurons persists, extending beyond that of promoting survival during development, to one of maintaining phenotypic and functional properties. Many adaptive changes that occur after peripheral axotomy and in axonal repair are believed to be influenced by altered availability of neurotrophic molecules to the neuron in this state. Indeed, administ...

Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell transplantation has been shown to be therapeutic in the repair of spinal cord injury. However, the low survival rate of transplanted bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells in vivo remains a problem. Neurotrophin-3 promotes motor neuron survival and it is hypothesized that its transfection can enhance the therapeutic effect. We show that in vitro transfection of neu...