Tessarollo L
Neural Development Group, ABL-Basic Research Program, NCI-FCRDC, Frederick, MD 21702, USA.
Cytokine Growth Factor Rev. 1998 Jun;9(2):125-37. doi: 10.1016/s1359-6101(98)00003-3.
Neurotrophins are soluble growth factors known mainly for their roles in regulating the development of the mammalian nervous system. Two types of receptors mediate the actions of these polypeptides: the Trk family of tyrosine kinase receptors and the so-called p75 low-affinity NGF receptor. Neurotrophins and their receptors are highly expressed in the nervous system. Gene targeting approaches in the mouse have uncovered some of their functions in promoting survival and developmental maturation of certain types of neurons of the peripheral and central nervous system, confirming their critical role in neural development. Furthermore, the phenotypes observed in these mutants have demonstrated the specificity of the interactions between neurotrophins and their receptors. These families of genes are also widely expressed in a variety of non-neuronal systems throughout development, including the cardiovascular, endocrine, reproductive and immune systems. Our knowledge of neurotrophin functions in non-neuronal tissues is still fragmented and mostly indirect. Nevertheless, there is increasing evidence that neurotrophins may have broader physiological effects besides regulating neuronal survival and differentiation. Analysis of mice lacking neurotrophins or neurotrophin receptors promises to provide avenues for elucidating these functions.
神经营养因子是可溶性生长因子，主要因其在调节哺乳动物神经系统发育中的作用而闻名。两类受体介导这些多肽的作用：酪氨酸激酶受体的Trk家族和所谓的p75低亲和力NGF受体。神经营养因子及其受体在神经系统中高度表达。小鼠中的基因靶向方法揭示了它们在促进外周和中枢神经系统某些类型神经元的存活和发育成熟方面的一些功能，证实了它们在神经发育中的关键作用。此外，在这些突变体中观察到的表型证明了神经营养因子与其受体之间相互作用的特异性。这些基因家族在整个发育过程中的各种非神经元系统中也广泛表达，包括心血管、内分泌、生殖和免疫系统。我们对神经营养因子在非神经元组织中的功能的了解仍然零散且大多是间接的。然而，越来越多的证据表明，神经营养因子除了调节神经元存活和分化外，可能还具有更广泛的生理作用。对缺乏神经营养因子或神经营养因子受体的小鼠进行分析有望为阐明这些功能提供途径。
