Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is a member of the neurotrophin family of growth factors. The precursor form of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (pro-BDNF) undergoes post-translational cleavage to form mature BDNF (mBDNF). The gene encoding this protein is localized on human chromosome 11p14.1.

Precursor form of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (pro-BDNF) interacts preferentially with the pan-neurotrophin receptor p75 (p75NTR) (2) and vps10p domain-containing receptor sortilin and induces neuronal apoptosis, whereas mature BDNF selectively binds with high affinity to the tropomyosin-related kinase B (TrkB) kinase receptor and promotes the survival, growth and differentiation of neurons. As proneurotrophins and mature neurotrophins elicit opposite biological effects, pro-BDNF cleavage in the neuronal system is regulated in a specific and cell-context dependent manner. Pro-BDNF plays important role in negative regulation of neurotrophic actions in the brain.

Lyophilized from a 0.2 μm filtered solution of 20 mM PB and 250 mM NaCl, pH 7.2.

Centrifuge the vial prior to opening.

Dissolve in 1x PBS (It is not recommended to reconstitute to a final concentration less than 100 μg/mL.). This can further be diluted to other aqueous buffers.

Recombinant Human precursor form of Brain-derived neurotrophic factor produced in E. coli is a non-glycosylated polypeptide chain containing 2X229 amino acids as a homodimer and having a molecular mass of 52 kDa. The sequence of the first five N-terminal amino acids was determined and was found to be Ala-Pro-Met-Lys-Glu.