DISTRIBUTION OF ERB-B2, ERB-B3, AND ERB-B4 IN THE DEVELOPING AVIAN NERVOUS-SYSTEM

The neuregulin proteins (GGF/ARIA/NDF/Heregulin) are pleiotrophic grow th and differentiation factors whose receptors, erb-B2, erb-B3, and er b-B4, are members of the epidermal growth factor receptor family of re ceptor tyrosine kinases. With western blots, we have examined the deve lopmental and regional distribution of these receptors within the brai n and sciatic nerve of chick embryos. The receptors erb-B2, erb-B3, an d erb-B4 are developmentally and spatially regulated within the nervou s system. In addition, cultures enriched for neurons or glia indicate that erb-B2 and erb-B4 are found in both neurons and glia, whereas erb -B3 is found in glia alone. (C) 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.