Overview
- Peptide (C)VLEKVPVSKGQLK, corresponding to amino acid residues 166-178 of human BDNF (precursor) (Accession P23560).
- Western blot analysis of 100 ng of each Recombinant human BDNF protein (#B-250) (lanes 1 and 5), Recombinant mouse proBDNF protein (#B-240) (lanes 2 and 6), Recombinant human Neurotrophin-3 (NT-3) protein (#N-260) (lanes 3 and 7) and Recombinant human beta-NGF protein (#N-245) (lanes 4 and 8):1-4. Guinea pig Anti-BDNF Antibody (#ANT-010-GP), (1:500).
5-8. Guinea pig Anti-BDNF Antibody, preincubated with BDNF Blocking Peptide (#BLP-NT010).
Note that the antibody recognizes both BDNF and proBDNF but fails to recognize the closely related NGF and NT-3 neurotrophins.
- Expression of BDNF in mouse hippocampusImmunohistochemical staining of perfusion-fixed frozen mouse brain sections using Guinea pig Anti-BDNF Antibody (#ANT-010-GP), (1:400), followed by goat anti-guinea pig-Cy3. BDNF staining (red) in the hippocampal dentate gyrus region, appears in neuronal profiles in the granule layer (G) and in interneurons in the hilus (H) region (arrows). DAPI counterstain is used to visualize nuclei of all cells (blue).
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- Lu, B. et al. (2005) Nature Rev. Neurosci. 6, 603.
Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is a member of the neurotrophin family of growth factors which includes nerve growth factor (NGF), neurotrophin-3 (NT-3) and neurotrophin-4/5 (NT-4/5).
All neurotrophins are synthesized as preproneurotrophin precursors that are subsequently processed within the intracellular transport pathway to yield proneurotrophins that are further processed to generate the mature form. The mature form of BDNF is a non-covalent stable homodimer that can be secreted in both constitutive and regulated pathways.
BDNF conveys its activity by binding to two classes of receptors, a member of the Trk receptor tyrosine kinase family (TrkB) and the pan-neurotrophin receptor p75NTR. Binding of BDNF to the TrkB receptor triggers ligand-induced dimerization and autophosphorylation of tyrosine residues. This activates various signaling cascades such the MAPK, PI3K and PLCγ pathways that are involved in cell growth, survival and differentiation of neurons in the central and peripheral nervous system.
Interestingly, recent evidence suggests that BDNF may influence target cell function via ion channel modulation. Ion channel activity in the target cells can be modulated by a TrkB-mediated mechanism that has not yet been determined. BDNF is able to block both KV1.3 and AMPA-subtype glutamate ion channel currents in sensory neurons, while it can induce activation of the TRPC3 cation channel in neurons and of the NaV1.9 Na+ channel in hippocampal neurons. These newly recognized BDNF actions underlie its “rapid” neuronal functions that include changes in neuronal excitability, plasticity and synaptic transmission.
Application key:
Species reactivity key:
Guinea pig Anti-BDNF Antibody (#ANT-010-GP, formerly AGP-021) is a highly specific antibody directed against an epitope of human brain-derived neurotrophic factor. The antibody can be used in western blot and immunohistochemistry applications. It has been designed to recognize BDNF from rat, human and mouse samples. The antibody is specific for BDNF; it does not crossreact with NGF, NT-3 or NT-4. The antigen used to immunize guinea pigs is the same as Anti-BDNF Antibody (#ANT-010) raised in rabbit. Our line of guinea pig antibodies enables more flexibility with our products such as multiplex staining studies, immunoprecipitation, etc.
Multiplex staining of BDNF and proBDNF in rat hippocampus.Immunohistochemical staining of rat hippocampal dentate gyrus perfusion-fixed frozen sections using Guinea pig Anti-BDNF Antibody (#ANT-010-GP), (1:300) and Anti-proBDNF Antibody (#ANT-006), (1:200). A. BDNF staining (red) appears in interneuron outlines (arrows) in the hilus (H) region and in the granule layer (G). B. proBDNF staining (green) in the same section appears in interneuron outlines (arrows) in the hilus (H) region and in the granule layer (G). C. Merge of panel A and panel B shows extensive co-localization of the two proteins.