Abstract
NGF is a protein found in highest concentration in the adult male mouse SMG and essential for maturation and maintenance of adrenergic neurons in the peripheral nervous system. We have previously detected NGF in adult and neonatal mouse brain. Using a specific and sensitive radioimmunoassay for NGF, we compared the postnatal patterns of ontogenesis of NGF concentration in SMG and brain of male Swiss-Webster mice. Mean SMG NGF concentration was 0.19 ± 0.02 ng/mg protein at age 11 days and increased to 103, 2678, and 20,353 ng/mg protein at ages 21, 32 and 60 days of age respectively. Cerebellar NGF increased from 681 to 2241 pg/mg protein between ages 2 and 15 days, and subsequently fell to a plateau level of 1484 pg/mg protein by age 17 days. Cerebral NGF increased steadily from 251 to 1383 pg/mg protein between ages 2 and 32 days, whereas brain stem NGF maintained a plateau averaging 1100 pg/mg protein.
Conclusions: 1) The developmental patterns of NGF concentration in brain and salivary gland are clearly different. 2) SMG NGF levels increase exponentially after 11 days of age. 3) Brain NGF levels increase during the first 2-4 weeks seeming to parallel known patterns of cell differentiation in each brain region. 4) The results support the possibility of intrinsic brain NGF synthesis.
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Weichsei, M., Walker, P., Eveleth, D. et al. 1620 COMPARATIVE ONTOGENY OF NERVE GROWTH FACTOR (NGF) IN MALE MOUSE BRAIN AND SUBMAXILLARY GLAND (SMG). Pediatr Res 15 (Suppl 4), 713 (1981). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198104001-01637
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198104001-01637
