The effect of nerve growth factor on cyclic AMP levels in superior cervical ganglia of the rat

There is, as yet, no evidence concerning the intracellular events which occur between the binding of nerve growth factor (NGF) to its receptors and the appearance of outgrowth or the induction of tyrosine hydroxylase. In order to obtain such information experiments were performed on the possible relationship between NGF and the concentration of the known intracellular 'second messenger', cyclic 3':5' adenosine monophosphate (cAMP). NGF produces a several fold increase in the cyclic AMP concentration in rat superior cervical ganglia in organ culture within 5 min. An increase could be seen with as little as 40 ng/ml of NGF. Oxidized NGF is without effect. The increase in the cAMP concentration produced by NGF is prevented by the addition of antiserum to NGF.