Structure and Biosynthesis of Nerve Growth Factor

The first description of nerve growth factor (NGF) by Levi-Montalcini and Hamburger (1953) was of a factor from mouse sarcoma cells (S-180 and S-37) that elicited extensive growth of chick embryo neurons. Shortly thereafter, a serendipitous use of snake venom in the purification of this factor led Cohen to the discovery that NGF was present in moccasin snake venom as well (Cohen and Levi-Montalcini 1956). The finding that the mouse submaxillary gland — a homologue of snake venom glands — stores even larger quantities of NGF than does the snake venom gland (Cohen 1960) led to the extensive analyses of mouse salivary NGF that continue today.