Nerve growth factor increases activity of ornithine decarboxylase in superior cervical ganglia of young rats.

Abstract
Nerve growth factor [NGF] produces a rapid increase in the activity of ornithine decarboxylase (L-ornithine carboxy-lyase, EC 4.1.1.17) in superior cervical ganglia of young rats in vivo and in vitro. Maximum activity occurs 6-7 h after addition NGF. The NGF-mediated increase in ornithine decarboxylase activity in vitro can be prevented by addition of cycloheximide, actinomycin D or antibody to NGF. A number of other agents were tested for their ability to increase ornithine decarboxylase activity in the ganglia; only NGF, and, to a slight extent, insulin were able to raise the activity of the enzyme. High concentrations of dibutyryl cyclic AMP (10 mM) were able to mimic the effect of NGF.