The PDGFR 740Y-P peptide stimulates a mitogenic response in muscle cells. The ability of the 740Y-P peptide to stimulate mitogenesis is highly specific and not a general feature of a cell permeable SH2 domain binding peptides.740Y-P is as effective as a growth factor (FGF2) at promoting neuronal cell survival via the established PI 3-kinase-Akt survival cascade. Stimulation of neuronal cell survival by the PDGFR740Y-P peptide is dose dependent and does not require insulin.