Faculty Bibliography

Monoclonal antibodies (designated IIIG5, VIID1, VIIIC8, and XIF1) have been produced that bind to the human nerve growth factor receptor (NGF-R) as well as to a soluble, truncated form of the receptor (NGF-Rt). The antibodies were generated against partially purified NGF-Rt from the conditioned medium of E9b cells, a transfected mouse fibroblast cell line (Ltk-) that expresses large numbers of the low affinity form of the human NGF-R on its cell surface (Chao MV, Bothwell MA, Ross AH, Koprowski H, Lanahan AA, Buck CR, Sehgal A [1986]: Science 232:518-521). Hybridomas were screened by radiometric immunosorbent assay (RISA) and by immunoprecipitation of solubilized cell surface receptor covalently cross-linked to [125-I]-NGF. Four positive lines were cloned by limiting dilution and were found to secrete monoclonal antibodies of the IgGl,k subclass. All monoclonal antibodies bound to both NGF-R and NGF-Rt. Two monoclonal antibodies (VIID1, XIF1) immunoblotted the NGF-R from E9b cell preparations resolved on non-reducing sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)-polyacrylamide gels. The antibodies immunoprecipitated NGF-R from both E9b cells and from SH-SY5Y human neuroblastoma cells. The monoclonal antibodies bound to monkey (rhesis and cynomolgus) NGF-Rt, but did not cross-react with NGF-R from chick or rat. Results of antibody competition studies demonstrated that three antibodies bound to a similar or overlapping epitope on the NGF-Rt and one monoclonal antibody (IIIG5) recognized a distinct receptor epitope. Antibodies that bound to different sites on the receptor were used to develop a sensitive 2-site RISA. The 2-site RISA can be used to rapidly quantitate NGF-R and NGF-Rt in large numbers of biological samples in the absence of added [125-I]-labeled NGF

The nerve growth factor (NGF) receptor is a glycosylated transmembrane protein present on the cell surface as both high and low affinity forms, but biological responsiveness requires interactions of NGF with the high affinity site. We have tested the effects of mutations in the intracellular domain of the receptor upon its cell surface expression and equilibrium binding of 125I-NGF. Although mutant receptors lacking the entire cytoplasmic domain are processed and expressed at the cell surface and are capable of binding to NGF, the absence of cytoplasmic sequences leads to a loss of high affinity binding and to a lack of an appropriate cross-linking pattern as assessed by N-hydroxysuccinimidyl 4-azidobenzoate photoaffinity cross-linking. These results, taken together with the highly conserved nature of these cytoplasmic sequences, implies that the interaction of the receptor with an accessory molecule is necessary to form the high affinity receptor

Some of the effects of nerve growth factor (NGF) may be mediated by changes in protein phosphorylation. We have identified a protein kinase from PC-12 cells that catalyzes the phosphorylation of pig brain microtubule-associated protein (MAP)-2 in vitro. This activity is stimulated 2-4-fold in extracts from cells treated with NGF or epidermal growth factor (EGF). The partial purification and characterization of this MAP kinase indicate that it is distinct from previously described NGF-stimulated protein kinases. The NGF-stimulated kinase activity is unaffected by direct addition to the assay of the heat-stable cAMP-dependent kinase peptide inhibitor, staurosporine, or K-252A, is slightly stimulated by heparin and is inhibited by sodium fluoride and calcium ions. Treatment of cells with NGF increases the activity of the kinase within 2 min. The activity declines after 10 min, and a second phase of activation is observed at 20-30 min. Comparison of its behavior on gel permeation and sucrose density gradients indicates a molecular mass in the range of 40,000 daltons. The kinase activity is specific for ATP as substrate with a Km of 12 microM. Although the pathway of activation of MAP kinase by NGF is unknown, the stimulation can be reversed by treatment of the enzyme with alkaline phosphatase, suggesting that activation involves phosphorylation of the kinase itself. The properties and hormone sensitivity of the PC-12 MAP kinase suggest that it is similar to the previously identified, growth factor-sensitive MAP kinase from 3T3-L1 adipocytes

Transgenic mice carrying multiple copies of the human NGF receptor gene have been generated. Using a monoclonal antibody specific for the human receptor, we have detected specific expression in cholinergic neurons in the basal forebrain and Purkinje cells in the cerebellum during the postnatal period. Expression in the PNS was exemplified by immunostaining of sympathetic and sensory neurons during an early embryonic age. Transection of the sciatic nerve in transgenic animals resulted in induction of human NGF receptors, indicating that the inserted gene can be appropriately regulated. These transgenic mice will provide an opportunity to study the elements regulating the NGF receptor. Furthermore, the ability to obtain specific expression in transgenic mice will permit directed expression of heterologous genes in discrete cells important in the cholinergic septal-hippocampal pathway and the PNS

The expression of nerve growth factor (NGF) receptor mRNA and NGF receptor protein was examined in the adult rat basal forebrain using in situ hybridization and immunohistochemical techniques. NGF receptor mRNA and protein were detected within cells in the medial septum, diagonal band of Broca, and nucleus basalis of Meynert. Controls showed that the hybridization signal was not due to nonspecific binding of the probe to heterologous RNAs or other molecules. As expected, the distribution of NGF receptor mRNA-containing cells correlated nicely with the distribution of NGF receptor immunoreactive cells in each of these areas. These data extend previous work which suggests that neurons in these areas express the NGF receptor mRNA and manufacture functional NGF receptors. NGF receptor immunoreactivity was also detected in the arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus, in the leptomeninges at the base of the brain and overlying the tectum, and within ependymal regions along the lateral walls of the cerebral ventricles. A few weakly stained neurons in the lateral hypothalamus and ventrolateral striatum were also consistently observed. In contrast, NGF receptor mRNA was not detected within any meningial, ependymal, or hypothalamic tissues using in situ hybridization. A cross-linking/immunoprecipitation assay demonstrated normal, membrane-bound NGF receptors within extracts of dorsal superior colliculus, ventromedial hypothalamic, and overlying meningial tissues, proving that the staining observed in these areas was not a non-specific artifact associated with the immunohistochemistry. The lack of hybridization in these areas may reflect levels of NGF receptor mRNA which are too low to be detected by the in situ hybridization methods being used. Alternatively, the staining may represent innervation of these areas by afferents whose cell bodies are located elsewhere, and whose terminals contain the NGF receptor protein

Neural development proceeds in an ordered fashion in which a variety of genetic and epigenetic factors exert an influence at well defined times. Using a cloned chicken genomic fragment for the nerve growth factor (NGF) receptor, we have detected strong expression in chicken brain at early stages of embryonic development. Expression of the receptor gene was greatly diminished at birth. This pattern of NGF receptor mRNA level was observed in all cranial regions and was further correlated with the appearance and disappearance of cell surface receptors. The transient developmental expression of NGF receptors in chick brain and the requirement for receptors to mediate NGF's effects suggests that NGF may possess a broader range of actions during development of the nervous system

Treatment of PC-12 pheochromocytoma cells with nerve growth factor (NGF) results in the differentiation of these cells into a sympathetic neuron-like phenotype. Although the initial intracellular signals elicited by NGF remain unknown, some of the cellular effects of NGF are similar to those of other growth factors, such as insulin. We have investigated the involvement of a newly identified inositol-containing glycolipid in signal transduction for the actions of NGF. NGF stimulates the rapid generation of a species of diacylglycerol that is labeled with [3H]myristate but not with [3H]arachidonate. NGF stimulates [3H]myristate- or [32P]phosphate-labeled phosphatidic acid production over the same time course. Although NGF alone has no effect on the turnover of inositol phospholipids, it does stimulate the hydrolysis of glycosylphosphatidylinositol. The NGF-dependent cleavage of this lipid is accompanied by an increase in the accumulation of its polar head group, an inositol phosphate glycan, which is generated within 30-60 sec of NGF treatment. In an unresponsive PC-12 mutant cell line, neither the diacylglycerol nor inositol phosphate glycan response is detected. A possible role for the NGF-stimulated diacylglycerol is suggested by the inhibition of NGF-dependent c-fos induction by staurosporin, a potent inhibitor of protein kinase C. These results suggest that, like insulin, some of the cellular effects of NGF may be mediated by the phospholipase C-catalyzed hydrolysis of glycosylphosphatidylinositol

Nerve growth factor (NGF) interacts with both high affinity (Kd = 10(-10)-10(-11)M) and low affinity (Kd = 10(-8)-10(-9)M) receptors; the binding of NGF to the high affinity receptor is correlated with biological actions of NGF. To determine whether a single NGF binding protein is common to both forms of the receptor, a full-length receptor cDNA was introduced in the NR18 cell line, an NGF receptor-deficient variant of the PC12 pheochromocytoma cell line. The transformant displayed (i) both high and low affinity receptors detectable by receptor binding; (ii) an affinity cross-linking pattern with 125I-labeled NGF similar to that of the parent PC12 cell line; and (iii) biological responsiveness to NGF as assayed by induction of c-fos transcription. These findings support the hypothesis that a single binding protein is common to both forms of the NGF receptor and suggest that an additional protein is required to produce the high affinity form of the NGF receptor