Figure 1.

Synthesis of pro-BDNF and mature BDNF (mBDNF). BDNF mRNA is translated in the endoplasmic reticulum to form pre-pro-BDNF, which is subsequently cleaved to form pro-BDNF. After being transported into the Golgi apparatus, the pro-BDNF is further converted into mBDNF by furin-like protein convertases. Alternatively, pro-BDNF is exported as a functional hormone or is further processed by the tissue type plasminogen activator (tPA) or matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) to form mBDNF extracellularly.