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Neurotrophins
Neurotrophin Receptors
Two types of receptors on nerve cell surfaces sense the level of neurotrophins and make a decision about the life or death of the cell. The TRK receptors bind to neurotrophins and typically send a positive signal to the cell, promoting survival or growth. These receptors are large proteins found embedded in the nerve cell membrane, with the neurotrophin-binding portion on the outside of the cell and a tyrosine kinase portion in the inside of the cell. The structure in PDB entry 1www, shown on the left, contains a domain from the outer portion of the receptor (the other domains are shown schematically). Notice that two receptors (shown in blue) bind on either side of the neurotrophin. A second receptor, termed p75 neurotrophin receptor, typically has the opposite result. When it binds to neurotrophins, it promotes death of the cell. PDB entry 1sg1, shown on the right, includes the neurotrophin-binding portion of this receptor. For more information on these neurotrophin receptors from a genomics perspective, take a look at the Protein of the Month at the European Bioinformatics Institute.Next: Exploring the Structure
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Last changed by: A.Honegger,