Brain-derived neurotrophic factor BDNF

Neurotrophins (NGF brain-derived neurotrophic factor, BDNF neurotrophin-3, NT-3 NT-4 NT-6) are important regulators of neural survival, development, function, and plasticity of the vertebrate nervous system [1]. Neurotrophins generally function as noncovalently associated homodimers. They activate two different classes of receptors, through which signaling pathways can be activated, including those mediated by Ras and members of the cdc42/rac/rho G protein families, MAP kinase, PI-3 kinase, and Jun kinase cascades. 

The neurotrophins (NGF, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), NT-3, NT-4/5)... 

The neurotrophins comprise a family of highly related molecules that act to support the survival and phenotypic specificity of select subsets of neurons. The neurotrophins (Table 27-2) are small highly basic proteins of approximately 13kDa that dimerize to form the biologically active species [5]. The neurotrophins have a highly conserved structure. This family includes five distinct members NGF,brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), neurotrophin 3 (NT3), neurotrophin 4/5 (NT4/5) and neurotrophin 6 (NT6). NT6 is found only in fish and will not be discussed further. 

Dennis, K. E., and Levitt, P. (2005) Regional expression of brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is correlated with dynamic patterns of promoter methylation in the developing mouse forebrain. Brain Res. Mol. Brain Res. 140, 1-9. 

The potential therapeutic benefit of brain-derived neurotrophic factor BDNF for rescuing neurons after stroke was demonstrated in a forebrain ischaemia model [93]. In that study,... 

Many cytokines play a regulatory role in processes other that immunity and inflammation. Neurotrophic factors such as nerve growth factor (NGF) and brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) regulate growth, development and maintenance of various neural populations in the central and peripheral nervous system. Erythropoietin stimulates the production of red blood cells from erythroid precursors in the bone marrow. 

The neurotrophins are a group of neurotrophic factors which all belong to the same gene family. They include NGF, as well as brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), neurotrophin-3 (NT-3), neurotrophin 4/5 (NT-4/5) and neurotrophin-6 (NT-6). All are small, basic proteins sharing approximately 50% amino acid homology. They exist mainly as homodimers and promote signal transduction by binding to a member of the Trk family of tyrosine kinase receptors (Table 7.10). 

The signaling mechanisms activated by neurotrophic factors, which include nerve growth factor (NGF), brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and neurotrophin-3 (NT-3) are fundamentally different from those discussed for G protein-coupled receptors and Ca " (Russell and Duman 2002). The neurotrophic factors bind to specific receptors, TrkA, TrkB, and TrkC (the name Trk is derived from their identification as troponin/receptor kinases from colon carcinoma) (Fig. 2). The Trk receptors contain an extracellular binding domain, a transmembrane domain, and an intracellular tyrosine kinase domain. Two neurotrophic factor molecules are required for activation of a Trk receptor dimer, resulting in activation of the tyrosine kinase domains and phosphorylation of substrate proteins as well as autophosphorylation of the Trk receptor itself. 

Siuciak, J.A., Lewis, D.R., Wiegand, S.J., and Lindsay, R.M. (1996) Antidepressant-like effect of brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). Pharmacol Biochem Behav 56 131-137. 

---