Description
The tropomyosin-related kinase (Trk) family consists of TrkA, TrkB and TrkC. TrkB is a high affinity receptor for BDNF and NT-4/5, and also binds NT-3 with lower affinity. TrkB is widely expressed, primarily in nervous tissue. The biological effects of TrkB activation are crucial in neuronal differentiation during embryonic development, specifically in the formation of the sympathetic nervous system. Additionally, the TrkB/BDNF complex facilitates the survival of post-mitotic neurons, axon growth and guidance as well as synaptic plasticity. TrkB also contributes to learning and spatial memory formation and the attenuation of injury-induced neuronal cell death. In addition to regulating CNS physiology TrkB and BDNF are involved in the formation of follicular growth and oocyte survival in the mammalian ovary.TrkB is a heavily glycosylated type I transmembrane protein of 791 amino acids, and the TrkB-Fc Chimera contains 13 potential N-linked glycosylation sites