Description
Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is a member of the nerve growth factor family.The neurotrophin family is comprised of at least four proteins including NGF, BDNF, NT-3, and NT-4/5. These secreted cytokines are synthesized as prepropeptides that are proteolytically processed to generate the mature proteins.BDNF cDNA encodes a 247 amino acid residue precursor protein with a signal peptide and a proprotein that are cleaved to yield the 119 amino acid residue mature BDNF. The amino acid sequence of mature BDNF is identical in all mammals examined. BDNF binds with high affinity and specifically activates the TrkB tyrosine kinase receptor .