TrkC

TrkC is the high affinity catalytic receptor for the neurotrophic factor, which includes neuronal differentiation and survival.

The TrkC receptor is part of the large family of PI3 kinase.

Family Members

TrkC is part of a sub-family of protein kinases which includes NT-3, TrkA is bound and thereby activated only by NGF. Further, TrkC binds and is activated only by NT-3.

TrkB binds BDNF and NT-4 more strongly than it binds NT-3. TrkC binds NT-3 more strongly than TrkB does.

The LNGFR

There is one other NT-3 biology. Some researchers have shown the LNGFR binds and serves as a "sink" for neurotrophins. Cells which express both the LNGFR and the Trk receptors might therefore have a greater activity - since they have a higher "microconcentration" of the neurotrophin. It has also been shown, however, that the LNGFR may signal a cell to die via apoptosis - so therefore cells expressing the LNGFR in the absence of Trk receptors may die rather than live in the presence of a neurotrophin.

Citations

• Lamballe F, Klein R, Barbacid M (1991). "trkC, a new member of the trk family of tyrosine protein kinases, is a receptor for neurotrophin-3". Cell 66 (5): 967-79. PMID 1653651.

• Tessarollo L, Tsoulfas P, Martin-Zanca D, et al (1993). "trkC, a receptor for neurotrophin-3, is widely expressed in the developing nervous system and in non-neuronal tissues". Development 118 (2): 463-75. PMID 8223273.

• Klein R, Silos-Santiago I, Smeyne RJ, et al (1994). "Disruption of the neurotrophin-3 receptor gene trkC eliminates la muscle afferents and results in abnormal movements". Nature 368 (6468): 249-51. doi:10.1038/368249a0. PMID 8145824.

• Ip NY, Stitt TN, Tapley P, et al (1993). "Similarities and differences in the way neurotrophins interact with the Trk receptors in neuronal and nonneuronal cells". Neuron 10 (2): 137-49. PMID 7679912.