Neuregulin

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The Neuregulins are a family of four structurally-related proteins that are part of the EGF family of proteins. These proteins have been shown to have diverse functions in the development of the nervous system.

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[edit] Neuregulin family members

The neuregulin family includes:

  • Neuregulin-1 (NRG1), with numerous discovered isoforms stemming from alternative splicing:
    • Type I NRG1; alternative names: Heregulin, NEU differentiation factor (NDF), or acetylcholine receptor inducing activity (ARIA)
    • Type II NRG1; alternative name: Glial Growth Factor-2 (GGF2);
    • Type III NRG1; alternative name: Sensory and motor neuron-derived factor (SMDF);
    • Type IV NRG1;
    • Type V NRG1;
    • Type VI NRG1; Types IV-VI are proteins with 3 novel N-terminal domains identified in 2004.[1]
  • Neuregulin-2 (NRG2);
  • Neuregulin-3 (NRG3);
  • Neuregulin-4 (NRG4);

In mammals, neuregulin family members are the products the 4 genes NRG1, NRG2, NRG3 and NRG4 respectively.

[edit] ARIA

ARIA plays a role in synapse development, influencing the upregulation of acetylcholine receptor genes beneath the endplate after mammalian motor neurons have made synaptic contact with muscle fibres, hence its name ARIA = Acetylcholine Receptor Inducing Activity.

[edit] In fish, birds, and earthworms

NRG-1,2,3 have been found in fish and birds.

mRNA similar to mammalian Pro-NRG2 precursor hase been found in humus earthworm Lumbricidae.

[edit] External links

[edit] References

  1. ^ Steinthorsdottir V, Stefansson H, Ghosh S, Birgisdottir B, Bjornsdottir S, Fasquel AC, Olafsson O, Stefansson K, Gulcher JR (2004). "Multiple novel transcription initiation sites for NRG1". Gene 342 (1): 97–105. doi:10.1016/j.gene.2004.07.029. PMID 15527969. 
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