Recombinant Human Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is a key member of the neurotrophin family, which also includes NGF, NT-3, and NT-4/5, and plays an essential role in neuronal survival, differentiation, and functional maintenance in both the central and peripheral nervous systems. Human BDNF is produced as a precursor protein and subsequently processed into its biologically active mature form. The mature protein functions as a non-covalent homodimer with a conserved cystine-knot structure and shows complete amino acid sequence homology with mouse and rat BDNF. BDNF is abundantly expressed in the hippocampus and cerebellum and supports axonal guidance, dendritic development, synaptic plasticity, and memory formation through high-affinity activation of the TrkB receptor and downstream AKT and ERK signaling pathways. Recombinant BDNF is widely used as a cell culture supplement to promote neural differentiation and maturation and is highly relevant to regenerative medicine and neuroscience research.