title: Characterization and crystallization of recombinant human neurotrophin-4.
abstract: Neurotrophin-4 (NT-4) is the most recently discovered member of the neurotrophin family. We have expressed, refolded, and purified recombinant human NT-4 from Escherichia coli and compared it with recombinant human NT-4 secreted into the culture medium of baculovirus-infected insect cells. Both preparations were characterized and determined to be indistinguishable according to several biochemical criteria. Recombinant NT-4 from E. coli was crystallized in a form suitable for x-ray analysis, and characterization of these crystals indicated that NT-4 was present as a dimer within the asymmetric unit. NT-4 was active in promoting the survival of rat TrkB receptor-expressing fibroblasts, but was inactive on embryonic chicken sensory neurons, unlike the other members of the neurotrophin family and in contrast to the reported activities of partially purified NT-4.
authors.affiliation: Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Tarrytown, New York 10591.
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Fandl
authors.forename: N J
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: Tobkes
authors.forename: N Q
authors.initials: NQ
authors.lastname: McDonald
authors.forename: W A
authors.initials: WA
authors.lastname: Hendrickson
authors.forename: T E
authors.initials: TE
authors.lastname: Ryan
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Nigam
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Acheson
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Cudny
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Panayotatos
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D016367:Baculoviridae / Q000235:genetics; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D002942:Circular Dichroism; D003460:Crystallization; D006801:Humans; D009036:Moths; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D020801:Receptor, Ciliary Neurotrophic Factor; D017978:Receptors, Growth Factor / Q000235:genetics; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D014961:X-Ray Diffraction
chemical_list: D009414:Nerve Growth Factors; D020801:Receptor, Ciliary Neurotrophic Factor; D017978:Receptors, Growth Factor; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; C073922:neurotrophin 4