Scientific background: |
Neurotrophic tyrosine kinase receptor type 1, also called Trk-A, is a protein that in humans is encoded by the NTRK1 gene. The NTKR1 gene encodes the neurotrophic tyrosine kinase-1 receptor and belongs to a family of nerve growth factor receptors whose ligands include neurotrophins. This gene is mapped to 1q23.1. This kinase is a membrane-bound receptor that, upon neurotrophin binding, phosphorylates itself and members of the MAPK pathway. The presence of this kinase leads to cell differentiation and may play a role in specifying sensory neuron subtypes. Mutations in this gene have been associated with congenital insensitivity to pain, anhidrosis, self-mutilating behavior, mental retardation and cancer. |
References: |
1. Bibel, M., Barde, Y.-A. Neurotrophins: key regulators of cell fate and cell shape in the vertebrate nervous system. Genes Dev. 14: 2919-2937, 2000.
2. Chuang, H., Prescott, E. D., Kong, H., Shields, S., Jordt, S.-E., Basbaum, A. I., Chao, M. V., Julius, D. Bradykinin and nerve growth factor release the capsaicin receptor from PtdIns(4,5)P2-mediated inhibition. Nature 411: 957-962, 2001.
3. Kuruvilla, R., Zweifel, L. S., Glebova, N. O., Lonze, B. E., Valdez, G., Ye, H., Ginty, D. D.A neurotrophin signaling cascade coordinates sympathetic neuron development through differential control of TrkA trafficking and retrograde signaling. Cell 118: 243-255, 2004.
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