Molecular cloning of the avian β-nerve growth factor gene: transcription in brain

Abstract A chicken gene cross-hybridizing with a murine β-nerve growth factor (βNGF) cDNA probe was identified by Southern blot analysis and isolated from a genomic DNA library. The DNA sequence coding for the putative mature βNGF protein was determined, providing direct evidence for the existence in birds of a neurotrophic factor sharing a high degree of sequence homology with mammalian βNGF. In addition this gene is shown to be transcriptionally active in adult avian brain as demonstrated by Northern blot analysis. (Brain) Gene Nerve growth factor Nucleotide sequence