Abstract:
Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) is initially synthesized as a 247 amino acid preproBDNF
which is cleaved to form a 228 a.a. pro-BDNF and finally 119 a.a. mature BDNF
(14 kDa). BDNF is expressed in fibroblasts, astrocytes, neurons, megakaryocytes, Schwann
cells, and smooth muscle cells where, acting via its tyrosine kinase receptor TrkB, it is involved
in neuronal differentiation and maturation, synapse formation, neuroprotection and neuronal
repair.