Description: Brain-derived neurotrophic factor(BDNF) is a prosurvival factor induced by cortical neurons that is necessary for survival of striatal neurons in the brain. It is a secreted protein with the molecular weight of 27.8kDa, consisting of 247 amino acids. It is known to promote neuronal survival and differentiation. BDNF shares substantial amino acid sequence identity with nerve growth factor(NGF). BDNF and neurotrophin-3(NT-3) are two recently cloned neurotrophic factors that are homolo