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The NGF complex from the African ratMastomys natalensis

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Abstract

The 7S NGF complex from the male mouse submaxillary gland consists of the α, γ and β subunits in the ratio α2γ2. The β (NGF) subunit contains all the known biolocial activity of 7S NGF. The α and γ subunits are both members of glandular kallikrein gene family, yet only γ subunit has protease activity. The γ subunit plays a role in the processing of preproNGF to its mature form, while the role of the α subunit is not yet understood. Despite the fact that 7S NGF has been extensively characterized, no other NGF complex has been characterized, nor have the α or γ subunits been observed in tissues which express NGF. We have therefore purified and characterized the NGF complex from the submaxillary glands of the ratMastomys natalensis in order to more fully understand the roles of the α and γ subunits. The NGF complex from M. natalensis contains subunits similar to those found in mouse 7S NGF. Although similar, there are significant differences between mouse and M. natalensis NGF complexes, especially in the degree of post-translational modification of the γ and NGF subunits, the expression of esterase activity and the ease with which the complexes dissociate. Evidence is presented that suggests that the NGF complex from M. natalensis may consist of subunits in the ratio α2γβ. The amino acid sequence of the M. natalensis NGF suggests some, but not all, ways in which these differences arise.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Neurobiology, Stanford University School of Medicine, 94305-5401, Stanford, CA

    Timothy S. Burcham, Ida Sim, Laurel M. Bolin & Eric M. Shooter

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  1. Timothy S. Burcham
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  2. Ida Sim
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  3. Laurel M. Bolin
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  4. Eric M. Shooter
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Special issue dedicated to Dr. Lawrence Austin

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Burcham, T.S., Sim, I., Bolin, L.M. et al. The NGF complex from the African ratMastomys natalensis . Neurochem Res 16, 603–612 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00965545

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