huayun / β-NGF/ NGF/ NGFB (Ser

Human β-Nerve Growth Factor (β-NGF) was initially isolated in the mouse submandibular gland. It is composed of three non-covalently linked subunits α, β, and γ; it exhibits all the biological activities ascribed to NGF. It is structurally related to BDNF, NT-3 and NT-4 and belongs to the cysteine-knot family of Growth Factors that assume stable dimeric structures. Β-NGF is a neurotrophic factor that signals through its Receptor β-NGF, and plays a crucial role in the development and preservation of the sensory and sympathetic nervous systems. Β-NGF also acts as a growth and differentiation factor for B lymphocytes and enhances B-cell survival. These results suggest that β-NGF is a pleiotropic Cytokine, which in addition to its neurotropic activities may have an important role in the regulation of the immune system. Human β-NGF shares 90% sequence similarity with mouse Protein and shows cross-species reactivity.