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Blocking Nerve Growth Factor Binding To The P75 Neurotrophin Receptor On Sympathetic Neurons Transiently Reduces Trka Activation But Does Not Affect Neuronal Survival, C. Lachance, Daniel Belliveau, P. Barker

Daniel J. Belliveau

Nerve growth factor interacts with the trkA tyrosine kinase receptor and with the p75 neurotrophin receptor. It is clear that trkA mediates most, if not all, of the stereotypical responses of sympathetic neurons to nerve growth factor but the role of the p75 neurotrophin receptor is unclear. In this study, we have asked whether a functional interaction between p75 neurotrophin receptor and trkA exists in primary sympathetic neurons by disrupting nerve growth factor binding to p75 neurotrophin receptor. Acute assays reveal that blocking antibodies directed against p75 neurotrophin receptor reduce nerve growth factor-mediated trkA tyrosine phosphorylation and reduce the amount …