What is "nerve growth factor"

n. (context protein English) a functional protein complex required for the suvival, growth and specialization of certain types of neurons in vertebrates.

n. a protein that is involved in the growth of peripheral nerve cells [syn: NGF]

Nerve growth factor (NGF) is a neurotrophic factor and neuropeptide primarily involved in the regulation of growth, maintenance, proliferation, and survival of certain target neurons. It is perhaps the prototypical growth factor, in that it was one of the first to be described. Since it was first isolated by Nobel Laureate Rita Levi-Montalcini in 1956, numerous biological processes involving NGF have been identified, two of them being the survival of pancreatic beta cells and the regulation of the immune system.