The Copper(II)-Assisted Connection between NGF and BDNF by Means of Nerve Growth Factor-Mimicking Short Peptides.

ABSTRACT: Nerve growth factor (NGF) is a protein necessary for development and maintenance of the sympathetic and sensory nervous systems. We have previously shown that the NGF N-terminus peptide NGF(1-14) is sufficient to activate TrkA signaling pathways essential for neuronal survival and to induce an increase in brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) expression. Cu²⁺ ions played a critical role in the modulation of the biological activity of NGF(1-14). Using computational, spectroscopic, and biochemical techniques, here we report on the ability of a newly synthesized peptide named d-NGF(1-15), which is the dimeric form of NGF(1-14), to interact with TrkA. We found that d-NGF(1-15) interacts with the TrkA-D5 domain and induces the activation of its signaling pathways. Copper binding t

SUBMITTER: Naletova I 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6523629 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature