Signaling of neuronal cell death by the p75NTR neurotrophin receptor

The neurotrophin receptor (p75NTR) is best known for mediating tropic suppo rt by participating in the formation of high-affinity nerve growth factor ( NGF) receptor complexes with trkA, however, p75NTR more recently has been s hown to act as a bona fide death-signaling receptor, which can signal indep endently of trkA. This article discusses the evidence for an active role of p75NTR in neuronal cell death and the mechanisms controlling this process, including roles for Bcl-2 family members, the c-jun stress kinase JNK, the transcription factor nuclear factor kappa B (NF kappa B), and caspases.