title: The many functions of nerve growth factor: multiple actions on nociceptors.
abstract: Nerve growth factor (NGF) initially interested neurobiologists because of its effects in the developing nervous system. It is now clear that NGF functions throughout the life of the animal with a wide repertoire of actions. In the sensory nervous system it primarily influences the structure and function of nociceptors. Here, we provide a brief review of these actions and raise the overriding biological questions of why these multiple actions occur and how they are carried out.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, Stony Brook, NY 11794-5230, USA.
authors.forename: Jeffrey C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Petruska
authors.forename: Lorne M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Mendell
mesh_terms: D000344:Afferent Pathways / Q000166:cytology / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D005727:Ganglia, Spinal / Q000166:cytology / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D020932:Nerve Growth Factor / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology; D009475:Neurons, Afferent / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D009619:Nociceptors / Q000166:cytology / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism*; D010641:Phenotype; D020917:Receptor, trkA / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D011955:Receptors, Drug / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D011955:Receptors, Drug; D020932:Nerve Growth Factor; D020917:Receptor, trkA