Generation and Utilization of Monoclonal Antibodies as Probes of Slow NGF Receptor Structure and Function

细胞间生化通讯是生物学中普遍存在的一种特征，起着调节多种调节功能的作用。在脊椎动物神经系统中，神经支配的靶标会分泌一种称为神经营养因子的蛋白质，随后被神经支配的神经元接收。个体神经细胞获得足够的神经营养因子对于神经系统的正常发育和维持至关重要。阻断神经营养因子从靶点到神经元的流动会导致受影响区域的神经元迅速破坏。在范斯坦博士的项目中，他将研究神经生长因子(NGF)的分子机制，神经生长因子(NGF)是神经营养因子中最被理解的，它介导其对响应性神经细胞的作用。NGF的作用是通过NGF与位于神经细胞膜上的“慢”(也称为“高亲和力”)NGF受体的相互作用而启动的。他将首先利用各种免疫学策略来产生新的分子探针。然后，他将使用这些探针作为工具来研究慢速NGF受体的分子组成以及慢速NGF受体介导的功能。这些研究将显著有助于我们理解神经营养因子的作用以及神经系统的发展和维持。

Intercellular biochemical communication is a ubiquitous feature in biology serving to mediate an enormous range of regulatory functions. In vertebrate nervous systems, targets of innervation secrete proteins known as neurotrophic factors, which are subsequently received by the innervating neuron. Acquisition of sufficient neurotrophic factor by individual innervating neurons is essential for the proper development and maintenance of the nervous system. Interruption of the flow of neurotrophic factor from the target to the neurons result in the rapid neuronal destruction of the affected region. In Dr. Feinstein's project, he will examine the molecular mechanisms by which Nerve Growth Factor (NGF), the best understood among the neurotrophic factors, mediates its action upon responsive neuronal cells. NGF action is known to be initiated by the interaction of NGF with "slow" (also known as "high affinity") NGF receptors located in the neuronal plasma membrane. He will first utilize a variety of immunological strategies to generate novel molecular probes. Then, he will use these probes as tools to investigate the molecular composition of the slow NGF receptors as well as the functions mediated by the slow NGF receptors. These studies should markedly contribute to our understanding of neurotrophic factor action and the development and maintenance of the nervous system.*** //