Nerve Growth Factor Signaling Tunes Axon Maintenance Protein Abundance and Kinetics of Wallerian Degeneration.

ABSTRACT: Neurotrophic factors are critical for establishing functional connectivity in the nervous system and sustaining neuronal survival through adulthood. As the first neurotrophic factor purified, nerve growth factor (NGF) is extensively studied for its prolific role in axon outgrowth, pruning, and survival. Applying NGF to diseased neuronal tissue is an exciting therapeutic option and understanding how NGF regulates local axon susceptibility to pathological degeneration is critical for exploiting its full potential. Our study identifies surprising connections between NGF signaling and proteostasis of axon maintenance factors. NGF deprivation increases Nmnat2 and Stmn2 protein levels in axon segments with a corresponding delay in Wallerian degeneration. Conversely, acute NGF stimulation reduces

SUBMITTER: Danos JA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11722262 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature