BDNF

By Jennifer Sokolowski, MD, PhD.

GFP, or green fluorescent protein, is a chemiluminescent protein derived from Aequorea jellyfish that was first discovered by Osamu Shimomura.  It was soon after established that the emission spectra of GFP was right around 509nm, or the ultraviolet color range.  The GFP gene is often used to form expression constructs in order to closely follow protein behavior, cellular differentiation, protein localization and more.  The following articles employed a GFP antibody in conjunction with various other GFP construct techniques to strengthe

Tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) is a crucial enzyme involved in the biosynthesis of dopamine, norepinephrine and epinephrine in the brain.

Niemann-Pick type C1 (NPC1) mediates low-density cholesterol transport from late endosomes and lysosomes to other areas of the cell via receptor mediation endocytosis.  Although cholesterol moves freely inside the cell, it cannot independently export out of the lysosome, which is where NPC1 steps in.

Synapsins are a family of neuronal proteins that are most renowned for their activity in modulating the pre-synaptic terminal.  Synapsin’s behavior is regulated by protein kinases and phosphatases, which alter the way that synapsin’s interact with actin filaments and other nearby proteins.  There are three isoforms of Synapsin – Synapsin I, II and III.  Synapsin I specifically localizes to the membrane of presynaptic vesicles and plays a role in regulation of axonogenesis and synaptogenesis.

Tropomyosin receptor kinase B (TrkB) is a member of the Trk receptor tyrosine kinases family consisting of TrkA, TrkB and TrkC. The sequence of these family members is highly conserved.

Neutrophins and their receptors play an important role in regulating the development of both the central and peripheral nervous systems. Neurotrophin ligand binding to each of their respective Trk cellular receptors is essential for the growth and survival of neurons.

Tropomyosin receptor kinase B (TrkB) is a member of the Trk receptor tyrosine kinases family consisting of TrkA, TrkB and TrkC. The sequence of these family members is highly conserved. TrK's are activated by several neurotrophins, which are small protein growth factors that play a role in survival and differentiation of distinct cell populations.

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is known to be important for neuronal differentiation, survival, migration and plasticity in both the developing embryo and adult synapses. The BDNF antibody is also proving to be an important tool in Alzheimer's disease (AD) research.

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is a member of the NGF family of neurotrophins. During development it regulates the survival and differentiation of neuronal cell populations in the central and peripheral nervous system, while in adult synapses it is a major regulator of development, plasticity and transmission.