Dissecting the Mode of Action of a Neuronal Growth Factor

Abstract

The neuronal growth factors nerve growth-factor (NGF) and fibroblast growth factor (FGF) play important roles in the development of both the peripheral and central nervous systems. These agents are survival factors in vivo and in neuronal cell culture. They appear to promote the differentiation of different classes of neurons and may also play some part in the guidance of neuronal process outgrowth. It is apparent that neuronal growth factors, as exemplified by NGF and FGF, encompass an enormous range of actions, making elucidation of the underlying molecular mechanisms a formidable task. However, a multidisciplinary approach has been brought to bear on this task, and studies of neuronal growth factor action have gained from as well as contributed insights to other fields.