Biology:Neurotrophin-3

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Short description: Protein-coding gene in the species Homo sapiens


A representation of the 3D structure of the protein myoglobin showing turquoise α-helices.
Generic protein structure example


Neurotrophin-3 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the NTF3 gene.[1][2]

The protein encoded by this gene, NT-3, is a neurotrophic factor in the NGF (Nerve Growth Factor) family of neurotrophins. It is a protein growth factor which has activity on certain neurons of the peripheral and central nervous system; it helps to support the survival and differentiation of existing neurons, and encourages the growth and differentiation of new neurons and synapses. NT-3 was the third neurotrophic factor to be characterized, after nerve growth factor (NGF) and BDNF (Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor).[3]

Function

Although the vast majority of neurons in the mammalian brain are formed prenatally, parts of the adult brain retain the ability to grow new neurons from neural stem cells; a process known as neurogenesis. Neurotrophins are chemicals that help to stimulate and control neurogenesis.

NT-3 is unique in the number of neurons it can potentially stimulate, given its ability to activate two of the receptor tyrosine kinase neurotrophin receptors (TrkC and TrkB).[4][5]

Mice born without the ability to make NT-3 have loss of proprioceptive and subsets of mechanoreceptive sensory neurons.[6][7]

Mechanism of action

NT-3 binds three receptors on the surface of cells which are capable of responding to this growth factor:

  • TrkC (pronounced "Track C"), is apparently the "physiologic" receptor, in that it binds with greatest affinity to NT-3.[8][9]
  • However, NT-3 is capable of binding and signaling through a TrkC-related receptors called TrkB.[10]
  • Finally, NT-3 also binds a second-receptor type besides Trk receptors, called the LNGFR (for "low affinity nerve growth factor receptor).

High affinity receptors

TrkC is a receptor tyrosine kinase (meaning it mediates its actions by causing the addition of phosphate molecules on certain tyrosines in the cell, activating cellular signaling).

As mentioned above, there are other related Trk receptors, TrkA and TrkB. Also as mentioned, there are other neurotrophic factors structurally related to NT-3:

  • NGF (for "Nerve Growth Factor")
  • BDNF (for "Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor")
  • NT-4 (for "Neurotrophin-4")

While TrkB mediates the effects of BDNF, NT-4, and NT-3, TrkA binds and is activated by NGF, and TrkC binds and is activated only by NT-3.

Low affinity receptors

The other NT-3 receptor, the LNGFR, plays a somewhat less clear role. Some researchers have shown the LNGFR binds and serves as a "sink" for neurotrophins.

The crystal structure of NT-3 shows that NT-3 forms a central homodimer around which two glycosylated p75 LNGFR molecules bind symmetrically. The symmetrical binding takes place along the NT-3 interfaces, resulting in a 2:2 ligand-receptor cluster in the center.[11]

Cells which express both the LNGFR and the Trk receptors might therefore have a greater activity – since they have a higher "microconcentration" of the neurotrophin.

It has also been shown, however, that the LNGFR may signal a cell to die via apoptosis – so therefore cells expressing the LNGFR in the absence of Trk receptors may die rather than live in the presence of a neurotrophin.

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Human and rat brain-derived neurotrophic factor and neurotrophin-3: gene structures, distributions, and chromosomal localizations". Genomics 10 (3): 558–68. Oct 1991. doi:10.1016/0888-7543(91)90436-I. PMID 1889806. 
  2. ↑ "Entrez Gene: NTF3 neurotrophin 3". https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?Db=gene&Cmd=ShowDetailView&TermToSearch=4908. 
  3. ↑ "Neurotrophin-3: a neurotrophic factor related to NGF and BDNF". Science 247 (4949 Pt 1): 1446–51. 1990. doi:10.1126/science.2321006. PMID 2321006. Bibcode: 1990Sci...247.1446M. 
  4. ↑ "TrkB mediates BDNF/NT-3-dependent survival and proliferation in fibroblasts lacking the low affinity NGF receptor". Cell 66 (2): 405–413. July 1991. doi:10.1016/0092-8674(91)90629-d. PMID 1649703. 
  5. ↑ "Similarities and differences in the way neurotrophins interact with the Trk receptors in neuronal and nonneuronal cells". Neuron 10 (2): 137–149. Feb 1993. doi:10.1016/0896-6273(93)90306-c. PMID 7679912. 
  6. ↑ "Targeted mutation in the neurotrophin-3 gene results in loss of muscle sensory neurons". Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 91 (25): 11844–8. 1994. doi:10.1073/pnas.91.25.11844. PMID 7991545. Bibcode: 1994PNAS...9111844T. 
  7. ↑ "Disruption of the neurotrophin-3 receptor gene trkC eliminates la muscle afferents and results in abnormal movements". Nature 368 (6468): 249–51. 1994. doi:10.1038/368249a0. PMID 8145824. Bibcode: 1994Natur.368..249K. 
  8. ↑ "trkC, a new member of the trk family of tyrosine protein kinases, is a receptor for neurotrophin-3". Cell 66 (5): 967–79. 1991. doi:10.1016/0092-8674(91)90442-2. PMID 1653651. 
  9. ↑ "trkC, a receptor for neurotrophin-3, is widely expressed in the developing nervous system and in non-neuronal tissues". Development 118 (2): 463–75. 1993. doi:10.1242/dev.118.2.463. PMID 8223273. 
  10. ↑ "TrkB mediates BDNF/NT-3-dependent survival and proliferation in fibroblasts lacking the low affinity NGF receptor". Cell 66 (2): 405–413. July 1991. doi:10.1016/0092-8674(91)90629-d. PMID 1649703. 
  11. ↑ "Crystal structure of the neurotrophin-3 and p75NTR symmetrical complex". Nature 454 (7205): 789–93. August 2008. doi:10.1038/nature07089. PMID 18596692. Bibcode: 2008Natur.454..789G. 

Further reading



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