BDNF

What is bdnf protein?

BDNF belongs to the neurotrophin family of growth factors, which also includes NGF, NT-3 and NT-4/5.

It works by binding to and activating tyrosine kinase receptors, namely TrkB (tropomyosin receptor kinase B) receptors on neurons.

Binding of BDNF to TrkB triggers intracellular signaling cascades that influence neuronal development, plasticity and repair processes.

BDNF is important for the growth, differentiation, maintenance and survival of certain neuronal populations, both during development and in adulthood.

What is the function of bdnf protein?

Neuronal survival and growth - BDNF promotes the survival of existing neurons and encourages the growth and differentiation of new neurons and synapses during development.

Synaptic plasticity - It helps strengthen synaptic connections between neurons by inducing activity-dependent synaptic plasticity. This is important for processes like learning and memory.

Dendrite and spine development - BDNF stimulates dendritic growth, arborization and spinogenesis, thereby shaping the architecture of neuronal circuits.

Neurogenesis - It plays a role in the ongoing generation of new neurons from neural stem cells in the hippocampus and other brain regions in adulthood.

Bdnf related signaling pathway

Binding of BDNF to its high affinity receptor TrkB leads to auto-phosphorylation of Tyrosine residues in the intracellular domain of TrkB.

This allows the recruitment and binding of adapter proteins like Shc and Frs2.

The adapter proteins trigger the downstream activation of the Ras-Raf-MEK-ERK cascade. MEK phosphorylates and activates ERK1/2.

Phosphorylated ERK1/2 translocates to the nucleus and activates transcription factors like CREB, ELK-1 and others.

This induces the expression of several immediate early genes (IEGs) as well as proteins involved in neuronal survival, synaptic plasticity and resilience.

BDNF Related Diseases

•  Neurodegenerative diseases: Reduced BDNF levels are implicated in Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, Huntington's disease.
•  Depression: Many depression medications increase BDNF, suggesting its role. Genetic variations affecting BDNF signaling are depression risk factors.
•  Anxiety disorders: Altered BDNF signaling has been linked to anxiety, PTSD and obsessive-compulsive disorder.
•  Schizophrenia: Decreased BDNF plays a role, impacting synaptic plasticity and psychosis severity.
•  Epilepsy: Genetic and acquired forms of epilepsy involve BDNF dysregulation, influencing excitability.
•  Neurodegenerative disease treatment - BDNF supplementation may help treat Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, Huntington's by promoting neuronal survival.
•  Spinal cord injury repair - BDNF enhances axon regeneration and functional recovery after injury. Gene therapy approaches utilize this.
•  Depression/anxiety treatment - Existing antidepressants work partly by boosting BDNF. Direct administration may help treatment-resistant cases.

•  Neurodegenerative disease treatment - BDNF supplementation may help treat Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, Huntington's by promoting neuronal survival.
•  Spinal cord injury repair - BDNF enhances axon regeneration and functional recovery after injury. Gene therapy approaches utilize this.
•  Depression/anxiety treatment - Existing antidepressants work partly by boosting BDNF. Direct administration may help treatment-resistant cases.