Description

• General description: Nerve growth factor (NGF) is a dimer of 118-residue polypeptide chains linked non-covalently. Both these polypeptides contain three intramolecular disulphide bridges. It forms the prototype of the neurotrophin growth factor family. In male mouse submandibular salivary gland, NGF is present in high amounts, and is present as a high molecular weight complex called nerve growth factor-7S (NGF-7S). NGF-7S is an α2β2γ2 complex, where β2-NGF is the active neurotrophin, and is linked to the dimers of the glandular kallikrein serine proteinases members, α-NGF and γ-NGF.[1]
• Application: Nerve Growth Factor-7S (NGF-7S) from murine submaxillary gland has been used for the treatment of following cells to induce neuronal differentiation-PC12[2][3] Dorsal root ganglia (DRG) obtained from chick embryos of either sex (Gallus gallus)[4]
• Biochem/physiol Actions: Nerve growth factor (NGF) is a neurotrophin, which facilitates the differentiation and survival of specific subtypes of neurons of central nervous system and peripheral nervous system. However, nerve growth factor-7S (NGF-7S) lacks any neurotrophic activity as most part of β-NGF subunit is buried within the NGF-7S complex.[1]
• Physical form: Lyophilized from 0.2 μm filtered solution in 25 mM sodium phosphate, pH 7.0.
• Preparation Note: Nerve growth factor-7S (NGF-7S) is isolated from male mouse submaxillary glands using a modification of the method of Varon, et al.[5]
• Analysis Note: The biological activity is measured using a 3-day MTT assay.