Methods for protecting dopaminergic neurons from stress and promoting proliferation and differentiation of oligodendrocyte progenitors by NRG-2
View Patent ↗The invention features methods of treatment and diagnosis using NRG-2 polypeptides, nucleic acid molecules, and antibodies. The invention also provides novel NRG-2 polypeptides and nucleic acid molecules.
1. A method for protecting dopaminergic neurons from damage, said method comprising: contacting the dopaminergic neurons with a recombinant NRG-2 polypeptide consisting of the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:4 in an amount that promotes survival of dopaminergic neurons under stress.
2. The method of claim 1 where the dopaminergic neuron is a midbrain dopaminergic neuron.
3. The method of claim 1 where the stress is oxidative stress.
4. A method for promoting mitogenesis and differentiation of oligodendrocyte progenitors or for promoting survival of oligodendrocytes, said method comprising:
administering a recombinant NRG-2 polypeptide consisting of the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:4 to the oligodendrocyte progenitors or oligodendrocytes, wherein said administering elicits mitogenesis and differentiation of oligodendrocyte progenitors or promotes survival of oligodendrocytes.
5. The method of claim 4 wherein the administering step comprises administering the recombinant NRG-2 polypeptide to oligodendrocytes.
6. The methods of claim 4 wherein the administering step comprises administering the recombinant NRG-2 polypeptide to oligodendrocyte progenitors.