In vitro and in vivo analysis of neurotrophin-3 activation of Arf6 and Rac-1

Arf GTP-binding proteins and Rho-family GTPases play key roles in regulating membrane remodeling and cytoskeletal reorganization involved in cell movement. Several studies have implicated neurotrophins and their receptors as upstream activators of these small GTP-binding proteins, however, the mechanisms and the cell type specificity of this neurotrophin activity are still under investigation. Here we describe the rationale and protocols used for the dissection of an NT3 activated pathway that leads to the specific activation of Arf6 and Rac1.