Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF)

Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) is a neurotrophin that belongs to NGF-beta family. BDNF can bind to its high affinity receptor TrkB and activates signal transduction cascades (IRS1/2, PI3K, Akt)[1]. These signaling cascades induce increased Ca2+ intake, phosphorylation of transcription factors. BDNF can also bind to the p75NTR, but the affinity for the p75NTR receptor is lower than for TrkB. The activation of p75NTR increases apoptotic and inflammatory signaling in neurons and glial cells by activation of c-Jun N-terminal kinases (JNK) and NF-κB expression, respectively[2]. BDNF is a neurotransmitter modulator, and is vital in maturation, survival and differentiation of neuronal populations during development. BDNF also participates in neuronal plasticity, which is essential for learning and memory. BDNF is widely expressed in the CNS, gut and other tissues such as lungs, heart, spleen, gastrointestinal tract and liver. Decreased levels of BDNF are associated with neurodegenerative diseases (such as Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease) and type 2 diabetes mellitus[1]. Human BDNF shares >97% aa sequence identity with mouse and rat. Rat BDNF shares >99% aa sequence identity with mouse.