The genes encoding each of the known neurotrophins and their receptors have been targeted in mice. As predicted by earlier studies, each mutation results in loss of specific classes of peripheral neurons. Apoptosis during the period of naturally occurring cell death appears to be responsible for many of these losses. In some cases, deficits may reflect earlier abnormalities in precursor prolife...

Neurotrophins have been implicated in activity-dependent synaptic plasticity, but the underlying intracellular mechanisms remain largely unknown. Synaptic potentiation induced by brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), but not neurotrophin 3, was prevented by blockers of adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate (cAMP) signaling. Activators of cAMP signaling alone were ineffective in modifying synaptic e...

The neurotrophin gene family comprises four structurally related basic proteins, NGF, BDNF, NT-3 and NT-4/5. Despite high structural homology, these neurotrophins operate via different high-affinity membrane receptors, differ in target specificity, patterns of spatial and temporal distribution and responses to injury of the neuronal tissue. Based on the recent data, some aspects of BDNF and NT-...

Cell division, cell death, and cell differentiation are hallmarks of embryogenesis. Such processes are supported by neurotrophins that have the capacity of regulating not only developmental processes, but also neuronal survival, morphological adaptation, and neural plasticity. Nerve growth factor (NGF) is a prototype of neurotrophins capable of influencing survival and differentiation of neuron...