Sequence Homology of Human and Mouse -NGF Subunit Genes

Various features of the nerve growth factor (NGF) gene system (Carpenter and Cohen 1979; Levi-Montalcini 1982; Yankner and Shooter 1982) are of particular interest to the molecular biologist studying gene regulation in mammalian cells. The expression of the three polypeptide chains (α, β, γ) that comprise the NGF complex is under androgen control in the mouse submaxillary gland (MSG), resulting in about 10-30-fold higher levels of NGF in the male MSG than in the female. In other tissues of the mouse, as well as in most other species, the genes of the NGF complex are subject to other regulatory mechanisms, which are not at present understood. Because of the importance of NGF in the formation and maintenance of sympthetic nerve contacts, the regulation of genes coding for the NGF-complex polypeptides during development is of great interest. Formation and secretion of the NGF complex in the male MSG include several levels...