hBDNF

hBDNF

human Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor

Product#:

B-250

Sizes:

1 mg

5 x 1 mg

5 mg

10 mg

Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) is a member of the NGF family of neurotrophic growth factors,  

and shares high sequence homology with NGF, NT-3 and NT-4/5.^1,2 BDNF is found in neurons of the  

central nervous system. It is expressed predominantly in hippocampus, cortex, and amygdaloid complex.³  

The synthesis of BDNF is subject to regulation by neuronal activity and specific transmitter systems.⁴ 



BDNF binds to p75^NTR, the neurotrophin receptor, and may initiate programmed cell death  

by acting through this receptor.⁵ Signal transduction is activated by the dimerization and  

autophosphorylation of the TrkB receptor.⁶ 



BDNF supports the survival of primary sensory neurons,⁷ retinal ganglion cells, basal forebrain cholinergic  

neurons,⁸ and mesencephalic dopaminergic neurons in vitro.⁹ BDNF prevents death of cultured rat spinal  

motor neurons,¹⁰ and rescues substantial numbers of motor neurons after lesioning of the neonatal sciatic  

or facial nerve.¹¹ Expression is switched on in Schwann cells following peripheral nerve lesion.¹¹ 

BDNF also inhibits the normal cell death of embryonic chick motor neurons.¹² 



BDNF acts in concert with other factors and neurotrophins. The biological activities of  

BDNF and NT-3 (neurotrophin-3) are additive, and BDNF also interacts with LIF.¹³ 



The effects of BDNF on motor neurons raise the possibility that it may be useful in  

treating patients with motor neuropathies and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS).¹⁴ 

Preparation:

hBDNF is a recombinant growth factor produced in E. coli.

M.W.:

27 kDa.

Purity:

Greater than 97% as estimated by SDS-PAGE analysis.

Bioassay:

BDNF induces ERK1/2 MAPK phosphorylation in neurotrophin receptor tyrosine kinase B (Trk B) transfected HEK-293 cells.

HEK-293 cells were transiently transfected with Trk B receptor. The cells were serum depleted for 2 h, 3 days post transfection, and then challenged with 20 ng/ml of hBDNF (#B-250) for 10 min.  The cell proteins were resolved by SDS-PAGE and detected with anti-TrkB and anti-phospho-ERK1/2.

Locus Link ID:

627 human BDNF.

References:

1.	Robinson, R.C. et al. (1995) Biochemistry 34, 4139.
2.	Ibanez, C.F. (1998) Trends Neurosci. 21, 438.
3.	Wetmore, C. et al. (1990) Exp. Neurol. 109, 141.
4.	Thoenen, H. et al. (1991) Ann. N. Y. Acad. Sci. 640, 86.
5.	Tolkovsky, A. (1997) Trends Neurosci. 20, 1.
6.	Jing, S. et al. (1992) Neuron 9, 1067.
7.	Acheson, A. et al. (1995) Nature 374, 450.
8.	Morse, J.K. et al. (1993) J. Neurosci. 13, 4146.
9.	Hyman, C. et al. (1991) Nature 350,230.
10.	Friedman, B. et al. (1995) J. Neurosci. 15, 1044.
11.	Meyer, M. et al. (1992) J. Cell Biol. 119, 45.
12.	Koliatsos, V.E. et al. (1993) Neuron 10, 359.
13.	Rodriguez-Tebar, A. et al. (1992) EMBO J. 11, 917.
14.	Chun, H.S. et al. (2000) Neuroreport 11, 511.