Abstract
The family of neurotrophic factors known as neurotrophins has yielded a series of surprises, both with regard to the broad extent of their functional roles and the remarkable complexity of their signaling mechanisms. The recent discovery that a neurotrophin precursor protein and its proteolytically processed products may differentially activate pro- and antiapoptotic cellular responses, through preferential activation of Trk or p75 receptors, promises to unveil yet another level of regulatory complexity.
MeSH terms
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Animals
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Apoptosis / physiology*
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Binding Sites / physiology
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Cell Survival / physiology*
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Central Nervous System Diseases / metabolism
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Central Nervous System Diseases / physiopathology
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Humans
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Nerve Growth Factors / metabolism*
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Protein Precursors / metabolism*
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Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / metabolism*
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Receptor, Nerve Growth Factor / metabolism*
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Signal Transduction / physiology*
Substances
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Nerve Growth Factors
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Protein Precursors
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Receptor, Nerve Growth Factor
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Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases