Characterization of symmetric complexes of nerve growth factor and the ectodomain of the pan-neurotrophin receptor, p75NTR

Nerve growth factor (NGF) is the ligand for two unrelated cellular receptors, TrkA and p75(NTR), and acts as a mediator in the development and maintenance of the mammalian nervous system. Signaling through TrkA kinase domains promotes neuronal survival, whereas activation of the p75(NTR) "death domains" induces apoptosis under correct physiological conditions. However, co-expression of these receptors leads to enhanced neuronal survival upon NGF stimulation, possibly through a ternary p75(NTR) x NGF x TrkA complex. We have expressed human p75(NTR) ligand binding domain as a secreted glycosylated protein in Trichoplusia ni cells. Following assembly and purification of soluble p75(NTR) x NGF complexes, mass spectrometry, analytical ultracentrifugation, and solution x-ray scattering measurements are indicative of 2:2 stoichiometry, which implies a symmetric complex. Molecular models of the 2:2 p75(NTR) x NGF complex based on these data are not consistent with the further assembly of either symmetric (2:2:2) or asymmetric (2:2:1) ternary p75(NTR) x NGF x TrkA complexes.     

The extracellular domain of p75NTR is necessary to inhibit neurotrophin-3 signaling through TrkA

The TrkA receptor is activated primarily by nerve growth factor (NGF), but it can also be activated by high concentrations of neurotrophin 3 (NT-3). The pan-neurotrophin receptor p75(NTR) strongly inhibits activation of TrkA by NT-3 but not by NGF. To examine the role of p75(NTR) in regulating the specificity of TrkA signaling, we expressed both receptors in Xenopus oocytes. Application of NGF or NT-3 to oocytes expressing TrkA alone resulted in efflux of (45)Ca(2+) by a phospholipase C-gamma-dependent pathway. Coexpression of p75(NTR) with TrkA inhibited (45)Ca(2+) efflux in response to NT-3 but not NGF. The inhibitory effect on NT-3 activation of TrkA increased with increasing expression of p75(NTR). Coexpression of a truncated p75(NTR) receptor lacking all but the first 9 amino acids of the cytoplasmic domain inhibited NT-3 stimulation of (45)Ca(2+) efflux, whereas coexpression of an epidermal growth factor receptor/p75(NTR) chimera (extracellular domain of epidermal growth factor receptor with transmembrane and cytoplasmic domains of p75(NTR)) did not inhibit NT-3 signaling through TrkA. These studies demonstrated that the extracellular domain of p75(NTR) was necessary to inhibit NT-3 signaling through TrkA. Remarkably, p75(NTR) binding to NT-3 was not required to prevent signaling through TrkA, since occupying p75(NTR) with brain-derived neurotrophic factor or anti-p75 antibody (REX) did not rescue the ability of NT-3 to activate (45)Ca(2+) efflux. These data suggested a physical association between TrkA and p75(NTR). Documenting this physical interaction, we showed that p75(NTR) and TrkA could be coimmunoprecipitated from Xenopus oocytes. Our results suggest that the interaction of these two receptors on the cell surface mediated the inhibition of NT-3-activated signaling through TrkA.     

NGF activates the phosphorylation of MAP1B by GSK3beta through the TrkA receptor and not the p75(NTR) receptor

We have recently shown that nerve growth factor (NGF) induces the phosphorylation of the microtubule-associated protein 1B (MAP1B) by activating the serine/threonine kinase glycogen synthase kinase 3beta (GSK3beta) in a spatio-temporal pattern in PC12 cells that correlates tightly with neurite growth. PC12 cells express two types of membrane receptor for NGF: TrkA receptors and p75NTR receptors, and it was not clear from our studies which receptor was responsible. We show here that brain-derived neurotrophic factor, which activates p75NTR but not TrkA receptors, does not stimulate GSK3beta phosphorylation of MAP1B in PC12 cells. Similarly, NGF fails to activate GSK3beta phosphorylation of MAP1B in PC12 cells that lack TrkA receptors but express p75NTR receptors (PC12 nnr). Chick ciliary ganglion neurons in culture lack TrkA receptors but express p75NTR and also fail to show NGF-dependent GSK3beta phosphorylation of MAP1B, whereas in rat superior cervical ganglion neurons in culture, NGF activation of TrkA receptors elicits GSK3beta phosphorylation of MAP1B. Finally, inhibition of TrkA receptor tyrosine kinase activity in PC12 cells and superior cervical ganglion neurons with K252a potently and dose-dependently inhibits neurite elongation while concomitantly blocking GSK3beta phosphorylation of MAP1B. These results suggest that the activation of GSK3beta by NGF is mediated through the TrkA tyrosine kinase receptor and not through p75NTR receptors.     

Human ProNGF: biological effects and binding profiles at TrkA, P75NTR and sortilin

Nerve growth factor (NGF) promotes cell survival via binding to the tyrosine kinase receptor A (TrkA). Its precursor, proNGF, binds to p75(NTR) and sortilin receptors to initiate apoptosis. Current disagreement exists over whether proNGF acts neurotrophically following binding to TrkA. As in Alzheimer's disease the levels of proNGF increase and TrkA decrease, it is important to clarify the properties of proNGF. Here, wild-type and cleavage-resistant mutated forms (M) of proNGF were engineered and their binding characteristics determined. M-proNGF and NGF bound to p75(NTR) with similar affinities, whilst M-proNGF had a lower affinity than NGF for TrkA. M-proNGF behaved neurotrophically, albeit less effectively than NGF. M-proNGF addition resulted in phosphorylation of TrkA and ERK1/2, and in PC12 cells elicited neurite outgrowth and supported cell survival. Conversely, M-proNGF addition to cultured cortical neurons initiated caspase 3 cleavage. Importantly, these biological effects were shown to be mediated by unprocessed M-proNGF. Surprisingly, binding of the pro region alone to TrkA, at a site other than that of NGF, caused TrkA and ERK1/2 phosphorylation. Our data show that M-proNGF stimulates TrkA to a lesser degree than NGF, suggesting that in Alzheimer brain the increased proNGF : NGF and p75(NTR) : TrkA ratios may permit apoptotic effects to predominate over neurotrophic effects.     

Structural model for p75(NTR)-TrkA intracellular domain interaction: a combined FRET and bioinformatics study

Nerve growth factor (NGF) is a member of the neurotrophins, which are important regulators of embryonic development and adult function in the vertebrate nervous systems. The signaling elicited by NGF regulates diverse activities, including survival, axon growth, and synaptic plasticity. NGF action is mediated by engagement with two structurally unrelated transmembrane receptors, p75(NTR) and TrkA, which are co-expressed in a variety of cells. The functional interactions of these receptors have been widely demonstrated and include complex formation, convergence of signaling pathways, and indirect interaction through adaptor proteins. Each domain of the receptors was shown to be important for the formation of TrkA and p75(NTR) complexes, but only the intramembrane and transmembrane domains seemed to be crucial for the creation of high-affinity binding sites. However, whether these occur through a physical association of the receptors is unclear. In the present work, we demonstrate by F?rster resonance energy transfer that p75(NTR) and TrkA are physically associated through their intracellular (IC) domains and that this interaction occurs predominantly at the cell membrane and prior to NGF stimulation. Our data suggest that there is a pool of receptors dimerized before NGF stimulus, which could contribute to the high-affinity binding sites. We modeled the three-dimensional structure of the TrkA IC domain by homology modeling, and with this and the NMR-resolved structure of p75(NTR), we modeled the heterodimerization of TrkA and p75(NTR) by docking methods and molecular dynamics. These models, together with the results obtained by F?rster resonance energy transfer, provide structural insights into the receptors' physical association.     

A Pro-Nerve Growth Factor (proNGF) and NGF Binding Protein, α2-Macroglobulin,Differentially Regulates p75 and TrkA Receptors and Is Relevant to Neurodegeneration Ex Vivo and In Vivo

Nerve growth factor (NGF) is generated from a precursor, proNGF, that is proteolytically processed. NGF preferentially binds a trophic tyrosine kinase receptor, TrkA, while proNGF binds a neurotrophin receptor (NTR), p75^NTR, that can have neurotoxic activity. Previously, we along with others showed that the soluble protein α₂-macroglobulin (α₂M) is neurotoxic. Toxicity is due in part to α₂M binding to NGF and inhibiting trophic activity, presumably by preventing NGF binding to TrkA. However, the mechanisms remained unclear. Here, we show ex vivo and in vivo three mechanisms for α₂M neurotoxicity. First, unexpectedly the α₂M-NGF complexes do bind TrkA receptors but do not induce TrkA dimerization or activation, resulting in deficient trophic support. Second, α₂M makes stable complexes with proNGF, conveying resistance to proteolysis that results in more proNGF and less NGF. Third, α₂M-proNGF complexes bind p75^NTR and are more potent agonists than free proNGF, inducing tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) production. Hence, α₂M regulates proNGF/p75^NTR positively and mature NGF/TrkA negatively, causing neuronal death ex vivo. These three mechanisms are operative in vivo, and α₂M causes neurodegeneration in a p75^NTR- and proNGF-dependent manner. α₂M could be exploited as a therapeutic target, or as a modifier of neurotrophin signals.     

Individual and combined effects of TrkA and p75NTR nerve growth factor receptors. A role for the high affinity receptor site

A long-standing question in neurotrophin signal transduction is whether heteromeric TrkA-p75NTR complexes possess signaling capabilities that are significantly different from homo-oligomeric TrkA or p75NTR alone. To address this issue, various combinations of transfected PC12 cells expressing a platelet-derived growth factor receptor-TrkA chimera and the p75NTR-selective nerve growth factor mutant (Delta9/13 NGF) were utilized to selectively stimulate TrkA or p75NTR signaling, respectively. The contribution of individual and combined receptor effects was analyzed in terms of downstream signaling and certain end points. The results suggest two unique functions for the high affinity heteromeric NGF receptor site: (a) integration of both the MAPK and Akt pathways in the production of NGF-induced neurite outgrowth, and (b) rapid and sustained activation of the Akt pathway, with consequent long term cellular survival. Whereas activation of TrkA signaling is sufficient for eliciting neurite outgrowth in PC12 cells, signaling through p75NTR plays a modulatory role, especially in the increased formation of fine, synaptic "bouton-like" structures, in which both TrkA and p75NTR appear to co-localize. In addition, a new interaction in the TrkA/p75NTR heteromeric receptor signal transduction network was revealed, namely that NGF-induced activation of the MAPK pathway appears to inhibit the parallel NGF-induced Akt pathway.     

Neurosteroid dehydroepiandrosterone interacts with nerve growth factor (NGF) receptors, preventing neuronal apoptosis

The neurosteroid dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), produced by neurons and glia, affects multiple processes in the brain, including neuronal survival and neurogenesis during development and in aging. We provide evidence that DHEA interacts with pro-survival TrkA and pro-death p75(NTR) membrane receptors of neurotrophin nerve growth factor (NGF), acting as a neurotrophic factor: (1) the anti-apoptotic effects of DHEA were reversed by siRNA against TrkA or by a specific TrkA inhibitor; (2) [(3)H]-DHEA binding assays showed that it bound to membranes isolated from HEK293 cells transfected with the cDNAs of TrkA and p75(NTR) receptors (K(D): 7.4 ± 1.75 nM and 5.6 ± 0.55 nM, respectively); (3) immobilized DHEA pulled down recombinant and naturally expressed TrkA and p75(NTR) receptors; (4) DHEA induced TrkA phosphorylation and NGF receptor-mediated signaling; Shc, Akt, and ERK1/2 kinases down-stream to TrkA receptors and TRAF6, RIP2, and RhoGDI interactors of p75(NTR) receptors; and (5) DHEA rescued from apoptosis TrkA receptor positive sensory neurons of dorsal root ganglia in NGF null embryos and compensated NGF in rescuing from apoptosis NGF receptor positive sympathetic neurons of embryonic superior cervical ganglia. Phylogenetic findings on the evolution of neurotrophins, their receptors, and CYP17, the enzyme responsible for DHEA biosynthesis, combined with our data support the hypothesis that DHEA served as a phylogenetically ancient neurotrophic factor.     

Chronic and acute models of retinal neurodegeneration TrkA activity are neuroprotective whereas p75NTR activity is neurotoxic through a paracrine mechanism

In normal adult retinas, NGF receptor TrkA is expressed in retinal ganglion cells (RGC), whereas glia express p75(NTR). During retinal injury, endogenous NGF, TrkA, and p75(NTR) are up-regulated. Paradoxically, neither endogenous NGF nor exogenous administration of wild type NGF can protect degenerating RGCs, even when administered at high frequency. Here we elucidate the relative contribution of NGF and each of its receptors to RGC degeneration in vivo. During retinal degeneration due to glaucoma or optic nerve transection, treatment with a mutant NGF that only activates TrkA, or with a biological response modifier that prevents endogenous NGF and pro-NGF from binding to p75(NTR) affords significant neuroprotection. Treatment of normal eyes with an NGF mutant-selective p75(NTR) agonist causes progressive RGC death, and in injured eyes it accelerates RGC death. The mechanism of p75(NTR) action during retinal degeneration due to glaucoma is paracrine, by increasing production of neurotoxic proteins TNF-α and α(2)-macroglobulin. Antagonists of p75(NTR) inhibit TNF-α and α(2)-macroglobulin up-regulation during disease, and afford neuroprotection. These data reveal a balance of neuroprotective and neurotoxic mechanisms in normal and diseased retinas, and validate each neurotrophin receptor as a pharmacological target for neuroprotection.     

The p75 neurotrophin receptor enhances TrkA signalling by binding to Shc and augmenting its phosphorylation

Nerve growth factor (NGF) is an important neuronal survival factor, especially during development. Optimal sensitivity of the survival response to NGF requires the presence of TrkA and the p75 neurotrophin receptor, p75(NTR). Signalling pathways used by TrkA are well established, but the mechanisms by which p75(NTR) enhances NGF signalling remain far from clear. A prevalent view is that p75(NTR) and TrkA combine to form a high-affinity receptor, but definitive evidence for this is still lacking. We therefore investigated the possibility that p75(NTR) and TrkA interact via their signal transduction pathways. Using antisense techniques to down-regulate p75(NTR) and TrkA, we found that p75(NTR) specifically enhanced phosphorylation of the 46- and 52-kDa isoforms of Shc during nerve growth factor-induced TrkA activation. p75(NTR) did not enhance tyrosine phosphorylation of other TrkA substrates. Serine phosphorylation of Akt, downstream of Shc activation, was also p75(NTR)-dependent. We consistently detected co-immunoprecipitation of p75(NTR) and Shc. These data indicate that p75(NTR) interacts with Shc physically, via a binding interaction, and functionally, by assisting its phosphorylation. Whilst providing evidence that p75(NTR) augments TrkA signal transduction, these results do not preclude the presence of a p75(NTR)-TrkA high-affinity NGF receptor.     

Nerve growth factor (NGF) exerts its pro-apoptotic effect via the P75NTR receptor in a cell cycle-dependent manner.

Nerve growth factor (NGF), the prototypic member of the neurotrophin family of growth factors, exerts its action via two receptors, P75NTR and TrkA, the expression of which varies at the cell surface of neuroblastoma cells (SH-SY5Y cells) in a cycle phase-specific manner. NGF was pro-apoptotic on growing cells expressing preferentially P75NTR and exhibited a potent anti-apoptotic effect on quiescent cells, when TrkA was prevalent at the cell surface, showing that NGF can have a dual action on SH-SY5Y cells depending on the relative cell surface expression of TrkA and P75NTR. The pro-apoptotic activity of NGF but not its anti-apoptotic activity was abrogated by an antibody against the extracellular domain of P75NTR and in cell isolated from P75NTR knock-out mice indicating that NGF exhibits a proapoptotic activity via P75NTR exclusively. On the other hand, we showed that the anti-apoptotic activity of NGF was specifically mediated by an interaction with TrkA with no contribution of P75NTR, as demonstrated on SK-N-BE cells transfected with TrkA in which NGF was a potent anti-apoptotic compound but did not exhibit any pro-apoptotic activity. These results support the hypothesis that the survival response to NGF depends on its binding to TrkA without any involvement of P75NTR which in turn selectively mediates the pro-apoptotic activity of NGF with no contribution of TrkA and show that, depending on the growth state of the cells, NGF exhibits dual pro- or anti-apoptotic properties via P75NTR and TrkA, respectively.     

eIF4A1与TrkA相互作用后抑制TrkA的泛素化

神经生长因子（NGF）结合细胞表面受体p75NTR(p75神经营养素受体)和TrkA（酪氨酸蛋白激酶A）后介导了细胞分化、细胞生存、凋亡、增殖和侵袭等多个重要的生理病理过程. TrKA能与细胞内多个蛋白质相互作用,但是由于NGF信号通路的复杂性,现在仍有必要发现与之相互作用的蛋白质以更准确地了解NGF信号通路. 本研究中我们通过酵母双杂交的方法筛选到了一个新的与TrKA相互作用的蛋白质——真核生物翻译起始因子4A1（eIF4A1）,然后通过谷胱甘肽巯基转移酶融合蛋白沉降实验（GST-pull-down）和免疫共沉淀实验（Co-IP）证明了TrkA和eIF4A1的相互作用. 此外NGF能够增强TrkA和eIF4A1的相互作用. 在鉴定相互作用位点实验中,我们发现eIF4A1的氨基端结构域和TrkA的TK结构域参与了相互作用. TrkA和eIF4A1共定位在细胞膜上. NGF能够引起TrkA与泛素蛋白63位的赖氨酸连接,而eIF4A1与TrkA相互作用后能够抑制TrkA与泛素蛋白63位的赖氨酸连接. 综上,得出结论 eIF4A1通过与TrkA相互作用抑制其泛素化调控NGF信号通路.     

MKK7γ1 reverses nerve growth factor signals: proliferation and cell death instead of neuritogenesis and protection

c-Jun N-terminal kinases (JNKs) are the exclusive downstream substrates of mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 7 (MKK7). Recently, we have shown that a single MKK7 splice variant, MKK7γ1, substantially changes the functions of JNKs in naïve PC12 cells. Here we provide evidence that MKK7γ1 blocks NGF-mediated differentiation and sustains proliferation by interfering with the NGF-triggered differentiation programme at several levels: (i) down-regulation of the NGF receptors TrkA and p75; (ii) attenuation of the differentiation-promoting pathways ERK1/2 and AKT; (iii) increase of JNK1 and JNK2, especially the JNK2 54 kDa splice variants; (iv) repression of the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p21^WAF1/CIP1, which normally supports NGF-mediated cell cycle arrest; (v) strong induction of the cell cycle promoter CyclinD1, and (vi) profound changes of p53 functions. Moreover, MKK7γ1 substantially changes the responsiveness to stress. Whereas NGF differentiation protects PC12 cells against taxol-induced apoptosis, MKK7γ1 triggers an escape from cell cycle arrest and renders transfected cells sensitive to taxol-induced death. This stress response completely differs from naïve PC12 cells, where MKK7γ1 protects against taxol-induced cell death. These novel aspects on the regulation of JNK signalling emphasise the importance of MKK7γ1 in its ability to reverse basic cellular programmes by simply using JNKs as effectors. Furthermore, our results highlight the necessity for the cells to balance the expression of JNK activators to ensure precise intracellular processes.     

Glucose regulates expression of the nerve growth factor (NGF) receptors TrkA and p75NTR in rat islets and INS-1E beta-cells

BACKGROUND: The function and survival of pancreatic beta-cells strongly depend on glucose concentration and on autocrine secretion of peptide growth factors. NGF and its specific receptors TrkA and p75NTR play a pivotal role in islet survival and glucose-dependent insulin secretion. We therefore investigated whether or not glucose concentration influences expression of TrkA and p75NTR in rat islets and in INS-1E beta-cells at the mRNA and protein level (INS-1E). METHODS: Gene expression of the NGF receptors TrkA and p75NTR but also of the metabolic gene liver-type pyruvate kinase (L-PK) and the neurotrophin receptors TrkB and TrkC was studied by semi-quantitative PCR and by real-time PCR in islets and INS-1E beta-cells. RESULTS: In rat islets, high glucose exposure (25 mmol/l) increased gene expression of TrkA, p75NTR and L-PK. Expression of TrkA, p75NTR and L-PK reflected insulin secretion at the respective glucose concentration. In rat INS-1E insulinoma cells, expression of L-PK and p75NTR was suppressed by low glucose as in the islets, while expression of TrkA was strongly increased by low glucose levels and thus was regulated differently than in islets. Expression of TrkB and TrkC was not regulated by glucose concentration at all. TrkA protein was regulated in the same fashion as its mRNA expression, while p75NTR protein was not significantly regulated within 24 h. CONCLUSION: Glucose interacts with gene expression of TrkA and p75NTR that are strongly involved in beta-cell growth and glucose-dependent insulin secretion. The fact that TrkA expression is regulated the opposite way in islets and in INS-1E beta-cells might reflect their specific grade of differentiation and tendency to proliferate.     

Neurotrophin receptor homolog-2 regulates nerve growth factor signaling

The neurotrophin receptor homolog (NRH2) is closely related to the p75 neurotrophin receptor (p75NTR); however, its function and role in neurotrophin signaling are unclear. NRH2 does not bind to nerve growth factor (NGF), however, is able to form a receptor complex with tropomyosin-related kinase receptor A (TrkA) and to generate high-affinity NGF binding sites. Despite this, the mechanisms underpinning the interaction between NRH2 and TrkA remain unknown. Here, we identify that the intracellular domain of NRH2 is required to form an association with TrkA. Our data suggest extensive intracellular interaction between NRH2 and TrkA, as either the juxtamembrane or death domain regions of NRH2 are sufficient for interaction with TrkA. In addition, we demonstrate that TrkA signaling is dramatically influenced by the co-expression of NRH2. Importantly, NRH2 did not influence all downstream TrkA signaling pathways, but rather exerted a specific effect, enhancing src homology 2 domain-containing transforming protein (Shc) activation. Moreover, downstream of Shc, the co-expression of NRH2 resulted in TrkA specifically modulating mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway activation, but not the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/Akt pathway. These results indicate that NRH2 utilizes intracellular mechanisms to not only regulate NGF binding to TrkA, but also specifically modulate TrkA receptor signaling, thus adding further layers of complexity and specificity to neurotrophin signaling.     

p75 Neurotrophin Receptor Cleavage by α- and γ-Secretases Is Required for Neurotrophin-mediated Proliferation of Brain Tumor-initiating Cells

Malignant gliomas are highly invasive, proliferative, and resistant to treatment. Previously, we have shown that p75 neurotrophin receptor (p75NTR) is a novel mediator of invasion of human glioma cells. However, the role of p75NTR in glioma proliferation is unknown. Here we used brain tumor-initiating cells (BTICs) and show that BTICs express neurotrophin receptors (p75NTR, TrkA, TrkB, and TrkC) and their ligands (NGF, brain-derived neurotrophic factor, and neurotrophin 3) and secrete NGF. Down-regulation of p75NTR significantly decreased proliferation of BTICs. Conversely, exogenouous NGF stimulated BTIC proliferation through α- and γ-secretase-mediated p75NTR cleavage and release of its intracellular domain (ICD). In contrast, overexpression of the p75NTR ICD induced proliferation. Interestingly, inhibition of Trk signaling blocked NGF-stimulated BTIC proliferation and p75NTR cleavage, indicating a role of Trk in p75NTR signaling. Further, blocking p75NTR cleavage attenuated Akt activation in BTICs, suggesting role of Akt in p75NTR-mediated proliferation. We also found that p75NTR, α-secretases, and the four subunits of the γ-secretase enzyme were elevated in glioblastoma multiformes patients. Importantly, the ICD of p75NTR was commonly found in malignant glioma patient specimens, suggesting that the receptor is activated and cleaved in patient tumors. These results suggest that p75NTR proteolysis is required for BTIC proliferation and is a novel potential clinical target.