總結(jié) |
NGF was the first neurotrophin to be discovered, more than 50 years ago. Three other proteins have been added to the list: BDNF, NT-3 and NT-4 (NT-4/5). These neurotrophins bind two groups of receptors. The p75NTR receptor is common to all four neurotrophins and is a member of the tumor necrosis factor receptor family. The tropomyosin-related kinase (TrK) receptors are receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) and three receptors form this family: TrkA, TrkB, and TrkC1.As mentioned above, the p75NTR receptor binds to all neurotrophins with similar affinities while the Trk receptors are the ones to display the selectivity for the neurotrophins. TrkA is activated by NGF binding, TrkB by that of BDNF and NT-4, while TrkC is stimulated by the binding of NT-3 1.All three Trk receptors are highly expressed in the mammalian brain in very distinct regions and are also expressed in the peripheral nervous system2-4. Cholinergic neurons in the basal forebrain exclusively express TrkA. All three Trk receptors are expressed in the hippocampus. Motor and sensory neurons in the peripheral nervous system express Trk receptors. Interestingly, while Trk receptors are not essential for development, knockout mice die shortly after birth. Indeed, TrkA-deficient mice demonstrate a significant decrease in cholinergic neurons and sympathetic neurons in the trigeminal, superior cervical and dorsal root ganglia5-7.Trk receptors are type I membrane proteins (i.e. span the membrane with one transmembrane region|)and have many motifs in the extracellular region, including cell-adhesion domains, three tandem leucine rich motifs flanked by two clusters of cysteines. In the membrane proximal region of the receptor there are also two immunoglobulin-like domains8. The intracellular region of the protein contains the kinase domain, responsible for activating downstream effectors as well as many adaptor site regions important for the binding/interaction of signaling molecules. The binding of neurotrophins to Trk receptors promotes receptor dimerization resulting in kinase activation. Activated Trk receptors then phosphorylate a cascade of signaling molecules including the Ras/ERK, PI3K/Akt pathways and PLC-γ1. Activated Trk receptors also create internal docking sites for other signaling adaptor proteins to bind to8. Splice variants of TrkA, TrkB and TrkC have been observed. These splice isoforms are mainly affected in the tyrosine kinase domain of the receptor lying in the cytoplasm. Endocytosis is an important signaling trait of Trk receptors. Following neurotrophin binding to the Trk receptor, the receptor complex is then internalized via endocytosis in order to terminate signaling. However, in the axonal compartment of neurons the internalization process of the neurotrophin complexed to the receptor is part of the signaling process and is important for activating transcription processes in the nucleus9,10.Abgent is pleased to offer a highly specific antibody directed against an epitope located at the extracellular domain of rat TrkA receptor. Anti-TrkA (extracellular) antibody (#AG1416) can be used in western blot, immunohistochemical, immunocytochemical and indirect flow cytometry applications, and has been designed to recognize TrkA from mouse, ratand human samples.
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Western blot analysis of rat (lanes 1 and 3) and mouse (lanes 2 and 4) brain lysates:
1, 2. Anti-TrkA (extracellular) antibody (APR00516G), (1:200).
3, 4. Anti-TrkA (extracellular) antibody, preincubated with the control peptide antigen.
Expression of TrkA in rat DRG
Immunohistochemical staining of rat dorsal root ganglia (DRG) frozen sections using Anti-TrkA (extracellular) antibody (APR00516G), (1:100). TrkA (red staining) is expressed in DRG neurons and in satellite microglia (arrows). Hoechst 33342 is used as the counterstain.
Expression of TrkA in rat brain hippocampal dentate gyrus
Immunohistochemical staining of immersion-fixed, free floating rat brain frozen sections. A. Brain sections were stained using Anti-TrkA (extracellular) antibody (APR00516G), (1:1000), (green staining). B. The same section was also stained for glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) (red and counterstained blue).C. Overlay of A and B demonstrates co-localization of TrkA and GFAP in dentate gyrus astrocytes.
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