Hu Recom BDNF, 500 µg

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is a member of the NGF family of neurotrophins, required for the differentiation and survival of specific neuronal subpopulations in both the central and the peripheral nervous systems. It binds with high affinity to the tropomyosin receptor kinase B (TrkB) and activates the AKT and ERK signalling pathways, and is expressed in the hippocampus, cortex, and synapses of the basal forebrain. BDNF also acts as a survival factor for human embryonic stem cells plated on either feeder cells or Corning® Matrigel®, and regulates synaptic transmission and plasticity at adult synapses, contributing to adaptive neuronal responses including long-term potentiation, long-term depression, certain forms of short-term synaptic plasticity, and homeostatic regulation of neuronal excitability. It promotes survival and growth of dorsal root ganglion cells, and hippocampal and cortical neurons, and together with glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) and other supplements, is commonly used to differentiate human pluripotent stem cell (hPSC)-derived neural progenitor cells into neurons.

Manufactured by STEMCELL Technologies, this recombinant human BDNF is produced in E. coli and lyophilized from a sterile-filtered aqueous solution containing 0.1% trifluoroacetic acid. The protein has a predicted molecular mass of 13.6 kDa as a monomer and 27.3 kDa as a homodimer (visualized by Coomassie Blue staining following SDS-PAGE), with purity ≥ 95%. The endotoxin level is ≤ 1 EU/μg protein, measured by kinetic Limulus amebocyte lysate (LAL) analysis, and the product is reactive with human, mouse, and rat. Specific activity is ≥ 5 x 10^2 units/mg (EC50 ≤ 2 μg/mL) as determined by a cell proliferation assay using C6 cells.

For storage, the lyophilized product is stable for 12 months from the date of receipt when stored at -20°C to -80°C. Before use, centrifuge the vial and reconstitute in sterile water to at least 0.1 mg/mL by pipetting the solution down the sides of the vial; do not vortex. Optionally, dilute with concentrated bovine serum albumin (BSA) to a final BSA concentration of 0.1% if the stock will not be used immediately. As a general guide, do not store at 2 - 8°C for more than 1 month or at -20°C to -80°C for more than 3 months, and avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles.