Pro-domain in precursor nerve growth factor mediates cell death

Nerve growth factor (NGF) is synthesized as a precursor, proNGF that undergoes post-translational processing to generate the biologically active mature NGF. While the neurotrophic function of NGF is well established, the activity of the proNGF precursor is still unclear. In this study, we have cloned the pro-domain of the precursor NGF molecule and have elucidated its function. We have used both mature and the furin resistant pro (R/G) NGF as controls in our experiments. Both pro (R/G) NGF and mature NGF (NGF) exhibited neurotrophic activity on PC12 cells while the pro-domain itself promoted cell death. The pro-domain, has been found to mediate apoptosis possibly by promoting the formation of a signaling complex comprising of endogenous p75 NTR receptor, Bim/Bcl2 group of proteins and JNK and MEK1/2 signaling pathways.