Characterization of nerve growth factor receptor in neural crest tumors using monoclonal antibodies.

Abstract

The nerve growth factor (NGF) receptor was characterized by using a new series of anti-receptor monoclonal antibodies (MAb). These Mab showed significantly greater reactivity with a [human] melanoma cell line expressing higher levels of NGF receptor, inhibited the binding of 125I-labeled NGF to its receptor, and immunoprecipitated both metabolically labeled and 125I-labeled NGF affinity-labeled receptor. These experiments defined the receptor as a 75-kDa [kilodalton] cell-surface protein. The NGF receptor was visualized by immunoperoxidase staining in tissue sections of human nevi, melanomas, neurofibromas, a pheochromocytoma and peripheral nerves. Uniform staining of the cytoplasm suggests that, in addition to cell-surface NGF receptors, there is a population of intracellular receptors.