Figure 1.
Production of BDNF and BDNF pro-peptide from its precursor. The human BDNF gene produces preproBDNF protein, which is processed to proBDNF (~32 kDa). Following cleavage of the signal peptide, proBDNF (~32 kDa) is converted to BDNF mature form (~13 kDa) and BDNF pro-peptide (~17 kDa) by intracellular and extracellular proteases. Mature BDNF preferentially binds the TrkB receptor, while proBDNF and BDNF pro-peptide bind to p75NTR. BDNF, brain-derived neurotrophic factor; TrkB, tropomyosin-related kinase B.