Preferred Label : Nerve Growth Factor Pathway;
NCIt related terms : Nerve growth factor pathway (NGF);
Alternative definition : BIOCARTA: Nerve growth factor (NGF) is one of a family of neurotrophins that induce
the survival and proliferation of neurons. In cell culture NGF induces the formation
of neurite projections and in vivo may stimulate the innervation of tissues. NGF plays
a role in the repair, regeneration, and protection of neurons, and as such could serve
as a therapeutic agent in neurodegenerative conditions such as Alzheimer's disease.
One potential method of NGF application would be through gene therapy or through implantation
of cells that have been genetically modified ex vivo. NGF has also been suggested
to play a role in other physiological systems and tissues such as the immune system.
NGF has two receptors, TrkA and the p75(NTR). NGF may signal its neuroprotective actions
through the tyrosine kinase TrkA receptor and trigger apoptosis in some cells through
the p75 receptor. High-affinity binding of NGF requires both TrkA and p75(NTR). Binding
of NGF to the TrkA receptor causes activation of the receptor tyrosine kinase and
downstream signaling cascades. One of the downstream signaling pathways of NGF activates
phospholipase C, releasing DAG and IP3 and activating associated downstream pathways
such as protein kinase C. Another NGF-activated pathway is the ras-mediated activation
of the map kinase pathway. This pathway is initiated through recruitment and activation
of Shc, which leads to ras activation through Grb-2 and Sos-1. The Map kinase cascade
includes raf, Mek and Erk. The downstream effectors of the ras pathway include activation
of fos and jun to form AP-1, activating genes through this transcription factor. Other
transcription factors involved in NGF responses include Egr and CREB. The Egr family
of transcription factors, as well as the Mek/Erk pathway, contribute to NGF-induced
neurite formation. The CREB family of transcription factors are involved in NGF-induced
survival of sympathetic neurons. Further understanding of NGF signaling may be applied
to the modulation of NGF responses in neurodegenerative conditions. (This definition
may be outdated - see the DesignNote.);
NCIt note : The BIOCARTA Definition (ALT_DEFINITION) for this pathway concept was provided by
BioCarta. This property was not created by, nor is it maintained by the NCI Thesaurus
staff. Additionally, BioCarta is no longer updating its pathway data; thus, the BIOCARTA
Definition might be outdated or inaccurate. Please see the Terms and Conditions for
Use at http://www.biocarta.com/.;
Biocarta ID : h_ngfPathway;
Origin ID : C39164;
UMLS CUI : C1514122;
Semantic type(s)
- has_gene_product_element
- pathway_has_gene_element
