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Recombinant human BDNF protein

QK050

Brand: Qkine

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is a member of neurotrophin family and plays a crucial role in neural development, maintenance, and function. It stimulates neurogenesis and is also a major regulator of synaptic plasticity and neuroprotection. It is used to maintain neurons and differentiate and mature human pluripotent stem cell-derived neural progenitors to cortical and motor neurons and cortical organoids.

Recombinant human BDNF protein has a molecular weight of 14 kDa. This protein is animal origin-free, carrier-free, tag-free, and non-glycosylated to ensure its purity with exceptional lot-to-lot consistency. Qk050 is suitable for the culture of reproducible and high-quality cortical and motor neurons and cortical organoids.

Currency: 

Product name Catalog number Pack size Price Price (USD) Price (GBP) Price (EUR)
Recombinant human BDNF protein, 25 µg QK050-0025 25 µg (select above) $ 280.00 £ 205.00 € 240.00
Recombinant human BDNF protein, 50 µg QK050-0050 50 µg (select above) $ 410.00 £ 305.00 € 357.00
Recombinant human BDNF protein, 100 µg QK050-0100 100 µg (select above) $ 620.00 £ 455.00 € 532.00
Recombinant human BDNF protein, 500 µg QK050-0500 500 µg (select above) $ 2,500.00 £ 1,840.00 € 2,150.00
Recombinant human BDNF protein, 1000 µg QK050-1000 1000 µg (select above) $ 3,950.00 £ 2,900.00 € 3,388.00

Note: prices shown do not include shipping and handling charges.

Qkine company name and logo are the property of Qkine Ltd. UK.

Alternative protein names
BDNF, brain-derived neurotrophic factor, abrineurin
Species reactivity
Human, mouse, rat, bovine, porcine, canine, equine

Frequently used together with:

Summary

  • High purity human BDNF protein (Uniprot: P23560)
  • >98%, by SDS-PAGE quantitative densitometry
  • 14 kDa
  • Expressed in E. coli.
  • Animal origin-free (AOF) and carrier protein-free.
  • Manufactured in Qkine's Cambridge, UK laboratories
  • Lyophilized from acetonitrile, TFA
  • Resuspend in 10 mM HCl, prepare single use aliquots, add carrier protein if desired and store frozen at -20°C or -80°C
Handling and Storage FAQ

Featured applications

  • Differentiation of iPSC derived neural progenitors to neurons

Bioactivity

Human LIF Qk036 protein bioactivity lot #14293

Recombinant BDNF activity is determined using a NFAT-luciferase reporter assay in transfected HEK293T cells also expressing TrkB. EC50 = 0.58 ng/ml (41 pM). Cells are treated in triplicate with a serial dilution of BDNF for 6 hours. Firefly luciferase activity is measured and normalized to the control Renilla luciferase activity. Data from Qk050 lot #104465.

 

Purity

Human LIF Qk036 protein purity SDS-PAGE lot #14293

Qk050 migrates as a single band at 14 kDa in non-reducing (NR) conditions and upon reduction (R).  No contaminating protein bands are visible. Purified recombinant protein (3 µg) was resolved using 15% w/v SDS-PAGE in reduced (+β-mercaptothanol, R) and non-reduced (NR) conditions and stained with Coomassie Brilliant Blue R250.  Data from Qk050 batch #104346.

Further quality assays

  • Mass spectrometry: single species with expected mass
  • Analytical reversed-phase: single sharp peak
  • Endotoxin: <0.005 EU/μg protein (below level of detection)
  • Recovery from stock vial >95%

Maintenance of iNeurons using Qkine animal origin-free BDNF

Figure-3-800x1041.png (800×1041)

Immunofluorescence images of iNeurons stained for postsynaptic neural markers. iNeurons were stained for the nucleus (blue), tubulin (green), and PSD-95 (yellow). Scale bars = 100 µm (5x magnification) and 20 µm (20x magnification).

Qkine animal origin-free growth factors BDNF (Qk050), FGF8a (Qk059), GDNF (Qk051) and TGFb3 (Qk054) can supported the differentiation of iPSCs into mature dopaminergic neurons within 35 days.

 

Differentiation of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) into dopaminergic neurons

Day 35 differentiated mature dopaminergic neurons (A, scale bar = 750 µM, B, scale bar = 300 µM).

iNeurons cultured with Qkine animal-free BDNF (Qk050) developed long neurites and formed synaptic connections. They maintained a neuronal phenotype with the expression of neuron-specific, presynaptic, and postsynaptic markers.

In collaboration with Tong Li, Omer Bayraktar, and Maryna Panamarova, Wellcome Sanger Institute

Protein background

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is a member of neurotrophin family which includes nerve growth factor (NGF) and neurotrophin–3/4/5 (NT–3/4/5) [1,2]. BDNF plays a crucial role during embryonic development and the maintenance of the nervous system during adulthood. It mediates many aspects, including the survival, growth, maintenance, and differentiation of neural stem cells and mature neurons [3,4]. It stimulates neurogenesis and promotes the growth of dendrites and axons [5,6]. It is also involved in synaptic plasticity, forming and strengthening synapses in response to experience and learning [7]. Finally, it regulates the neuroprotection as it is involved in neural repair and recovery [8].

In cell culture, recombinant human BDNF supports the survival and growth of neurons and establishes and strengthens synapses. It is used in combination with other growth factors to maintain neurons and to differentiate human-induced pluripotent stem cell-derived neural progenitors into neurons [5]. It is used for the differentiation and maturation of dopaminergic neurons with glial-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF), FGF-8a/FGF-8b, and Shh [9–11]. Glutamatergic and GABAergic neurons are maintained with combinations of BDNF, GDNF, NT-3, or insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) [12–14]. Cholinergic neurons are obtained using BDNF, IGF-1, and NGF [15,16]. Also, the culture of cortical organoids require BDNF and GDNF for maturation [17].

BDNF is released by various cells including neurons, glial cells (astrocytes and microglia), immune cells (T cells and macrophages), as well as skeletal muscles. It has several precursor isoforms and its mature active form is a dimer stabilised by a cysteine knot composed of 119 amino acids and a molecular weight of around 13 kDa [18]. The mature isoform binds to the receptor tropomyosin receptor kinase B (TrkB) with high affinity to activate MAPK, PI3K and PLC-γ signalling cascades [19,20]. These pathways are related to the survival of neurons, growth of dendrites and axons, development of synapses, and learning- and memory-dependent synaptic plasticity19. In addition, this protein binds to p75 neurotrophin receptor (p75NTR) with lower affinity to activate the NF-kB activation [21].

Impaired BDNF signaling has been linked to several diseases such as neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases, neurological disorders such as depression and anxiety disorders, as well as spinal cord injury [22,23]. Recombinant BDNF and other neurotrophins such as NGF and NT-3 are a growing area of research as potential targets [22,24]. For example, pharmacological agents or gene therapy could increase BDNF production and release which may have therapeutic potential for conditions like amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and depression. Also, targeted delivery of this protein could be beneficial to preserve nerve function, promote healthy brain ageing, and regenerate the loss of neurons.

Background references

  1. Maisonpierre, P. C. et al. NT-3, BDNF, and NGF in the developing rat nervous system: Parallel as well as reciprocal patterns of expression. Neuron 5, 501–509 (1990).
  2. Skaper, S. D. The Neurotrophin Family of Neurotrophic Factors: An Overview. in Neurotrophic Factors: Methods and Protocols (ed. Skaper, S. D.) 1–12 (Humana Press, 2012). doi:10.1007/978-1-61779-536-7_1.
  3. Ghosh, A., Carnahan, J. & Greenberg, M. E. Requirement for BDNF in Activity-Dependent Survival of Cortical Neurons. Science 263, 1618–1623 (1994).
  4. Hyman, C. et al. BDNF is a neurotrophic factor for dopaminergic neurons of the substantia nigra. Nature 350, 230–232 (1991).
  5. Brafman, D. A. Generation, Expansion, and Differentiation of Human Pluripotent Stem Cell (hPSC) Derived Neural Progenitor Cells (NPCs). in Stem Cell Renewal and Cell-Cell Communication: Methods and Protocols (ed. Turksen, K.) 87–102 (Springer, 2015). doi:10.1007/7651_2014_90.
  6. Chen, B.-Y. et al. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor stimulates proliferation and differentiation of neural stem cells, possibly by triggering the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. J. Neurosci. Res. 91, 30–41 (2013).
  7. Bramham, C. R. & Messaoudi, E. BDNF function in adult synaptic plasticity: The synaptic consolidation hypothesis. Prog. Neurobiol. 76, 99–125 (2005).
  8. Park, H. & Poo, M. Neurotrophin regulation of neural circuit development and function. Nat. Rev. Neurosci. 14, 7–23 (2013).
  9. Perrier, A. L. et al. Derivation of midbrain dopamine neurons from human embryonic stem cells. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U. S. A. 101, 12543–12548 (2004).
  10. Brennand, K. et al. Modeling schizophrenia using hiPSC neurons. Nature 473, 221–225 (2011).
  11. Kriks, S. et al. Dopamine neurons derived from human ES cells efficiently engraft in animal models of Parkinson’s disease. Nature 480, 547–551 (2011).
  12. Fernandopulle, M. S. et al. Transcription-factor mediated differentiation of human iPSCs into neurons. Curr. Protoc. Cell Biol. 79, e51 (2018).
  13. Li, X.-J. et al. Specification of motoneurons from human embryonic stem cells. Nat. Biotechnol. 23, 215–221 (2005).
  14. Lin, L., Yuan, J., Sander, B. & Golas, M. M. In Vitro Differentiation of Human Neural Progenitor Cells Into Striatal GABAergic Neurons. Stem Cells Transl. Med. 4, 775–788 (2015).
  15. Liu, Y. et al. Medial ganglionic eminence–like cells derived from human embryonic stem cells correct learning and memory deficits. Nat. Biotechnol. 31, 440–447 (2013).
  16. Nilbratt, M., Porras, O., Marutle, A., Hovatta, O. & Nordberg, A. Neurotrophic factors promote cholinergic differentiation in human embryonic stem cell-derived neurons. J. Cell. Mol. Med. 14, 1476–1484 (2010).
  17. Jacob, F. et al. Human Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Neural Cells and Brain Organoids Reveal SARS-CoV-2 Neurotropism Predominates in Choroid Plexus Epithelium. Cell Stem Cell 27, 937-950.e9 (2020).
  18. Barde, Y. a., Edgar, D. & Thoenen, H. Purification of a new neurotrophic factor from mammalian brain. EMBO J. 1, 549–553 (1982).
  19. Colucci-D’Amato, L., Speranza, L. & Volpicelli, F. Neurotrophic Factor BDNF, Physiological Functions and Therapeutic Potential in Depression, Neurodegeneration and Brain Cancer. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 21, 7777 (2020).
  20. Foltran, R. B. & Diaz, S. L. BDNF isoforms: a round trip ticket between neurogenesis and serotonin? J. Neurochem. 138, 204–221 (2016).
  21. Reichardt, L. F. Neurotrophin-regulated signalling pathways. Philos. Trans. R. Soc. B Biol. Sci. 361, 1545–1564 (2006).
  22. Mattson, M. P., Maudsley, S. & Martin, B. BDNF and 5-HT: a dynamic duo in age-related neuronal plasticity and neurodegenerative disorders. Trends Neurosci. 27, 589–594 (2004).
  23. Mattson, M. P. & Scheff, S. W. Endogenous Neuroprotection Factors and Traumatic Brain Injury: Mechanisms of Action and Implications for Therapy. J. Neurotrauma 11, 3–33 (1994).
  24. Keefe, K. M., Sheikh, I. S. & Smith, G. M. Targeting Neurotrophins to Specific Populations of Neurons: NGF, BDNF, and NT-3 and Their Relevance for Treatment of Spinal Cord Injury. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 18, 548 (2017).