Abstract
We have examined the molecular structure of the related neurotrophic factors brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and neurotrophin-3 (NT-3) by physical methods, including gel filtration, velocity sedimentation, sedimentation equilibrium, urea gel electrophoresis, fluorescence spectroscopy, and farultraviolet circular dichroism. The results of these studies indicate that at physiologically relevant concentrations both recombinant proteins exist as tightly associated dimers. The dimers are stable even in 8 M solutions of urea. In solutions of guanidine hydrochloride, BDNF and NT-3 undergo slow unfolding between 3 and 5 M concentration ofdenaturant. Circular dichroism spectroscopy revealed approximately 70% β-sheet and 20% β-turn content in the native structure ofboth neurotrophic factors. In this respect, BDNF and NT-3 resemble other polypeptide growth factors whose receptors are also integral protein-tyrosine kinases.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 4431-4436 |
Number of pages | 6 |
Journal | Biochemistry |
Volume | 31 |
Issue number | 18 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Jan 1 1992 |
Externally published | Yes |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Biochemistry