Gene expression of GAP-43, NF-L and 2A3-2 in the dorsal root ganglion cells treated with nerve growth factor

Objective To investigate the effect of nerve growth factor (NGF) on gene expression in cultured dorsal root ganglion (DRG) cells. Methods Semi quantitative RT PCR was used to observe changes of gene expressions of GAP 43 (growth associated protein 43), NF L (neurofilament) and 2A3 2 (a new gene homologous to human translational elongation factor) from the cultured DRG cells treated with or without NGF at 4,12 and 24 hours. Results In the process of DRG cell being treated with NGF the gene expression of GAP 43, NF L and 2A3 2 were up regulated to different extents at different time.Conclusions NGF may affect growth association protein, nerve cell skeleton and associate protein translation to promote neuronal survival and neurite outgrowth.