脑源性神经营养因子前体蛋白生物学效应研究进展

神经营养因子是一类分泌性多肽类生长因子,可促进中枢和外周神经元的生长、存活以及分化,但其前体分子却具有不同的生物学活性,也有着不同的受体以及细胞内信号通路。本文对近年来关于脑源性神经营养因子前体蛋白的研究予以综述,着重讨论其在神经损伤与情绪障碍和神经退行性变疾病模型中的作用。     

长期运动对幼龄大鼠下丘脑脑源性神经营养因子表达的影响

目的：探讨下丘脑脑源性神经营养因子（BDNF）与幼龄大鼠长期运动中摄食调节活动的关系。方法：3周龄断乳SD大鼠随机分为运动组（E）和对照组（C）,运动组进行9周的游泳运动（每天1次,每周6 d）,运动时间由开始每次30 min逐渐增加到每次90 min。12周龄时用ELISA法测试血清BDNF含量,RT-PCR和Western blot方法检测下丘脑中BDNF mRNA、pro-BDNF和BDFN蛋白表达水平。结果：与C组比较,E组大鼠在运动第1周、第9周以及整个实验期间摄食量无变化。12周龄时与C组相比,E组血清BDNF含量和下丘脑BDNF mRNA表达水平无变化,但下丘脑pro-BDNF和BDNF蛋白表达水平升高（P〈0.05）。结论：长期运动使幼龄大鼠下丘脑BDNF和pro-BDNF蛋白表达水平同时升高。     

人脑源性神经营养因子基因表达

用聚合酶链式反应(PCR)从人基因组DNA中扩增了人脑源性神经营养因子(hBDNF) cDNA和hBDNF成熟蛋白编码片段,分别克隆到pUC18中.经测序确认两个插入片段序列正确.hBDNF cDNA在CMV启动子控制下在NIH/3T3细胞中表达,用RT-PCR检测转染细胞确有BDNF mRNA存在.BDNF成熟蛋白编码序列在T7启动子控制下在E.coli中表达,SDS-PAGE表明,BDNF得到表达,以包涵体形式存在.     

胶质细胞源性神经营养因子研究进展

胶质细胞源性神经营养因子是１９９３４上发现并克隆的神经营养因子,对巴金森氏病和运动神经元性疾病的治疗可能具有潜在的应用价值。本文对价值蛋白质的性质,基因结构,分布以及其在生理,病理情况下作用进行了简要的综述。     

马来熊脑源性神经营养因子基因编码区的克隆与序列分析

参照人脑源性神经神经生长因子（ＢＤＮＦ）基因序列设计出一对引物，利用聚合酶链式反应，首次从马来熊基因组ＤＮＡ中扩增和克隆到ＢＤＮＦ基因的编码区。对该基因所作的序列分析表明，马来熊和人ＢＤＮＦ基因编码区的核苷酸序列同源性为９４％，而与大熊猫ＢＤＮＦ基因的核苷酸序列同源性高达９９％。在推导的多肽序列中，除在前导肽区有两个氨基酸的差异外，马来熊ＢＤＮＦ的成熟区与人和其他已报道的哺乳动物ＢＤＮＦ成熟区的氨     

脑源性神经营养因子与抑郁症的研究进展

脑源性神经营养因子(brain-derived neurotrophic factor,BDNF)是人体内含量最多的神经营养因子,在神经系统的发育和功能维持中起至关重要的作用.研究表明,抗抑郁剂通过提高BDNF表达来促进神经细胞的生存,增加突触可塑性及神经发生.     

大熊猫脑源性神经营养因子基因的克隆与表达

参照人ＢＤＮＦ基因序列设计出一对引物和利用聚合酶链式反应（ＰＣＲ）,首次从大熊猫基因组ＤＮＡ中扩增和克隆到ＢＤＮＦ基因,并使其在大肠杆菌中得到了表达。序列分析表明,大熊猫和人的ＢＤＮＦ基因的核苷酸序列同源性高达９４％。在推导的多肽序列中,除在前导肽区有两个氨基酸的差异外,大熊猫ＢＤＮＦ的成熟区与人和其它已报道的哺乳动物ＢＤＮＦ成熟区的氨基酸序列完全一致,显示了极高的保守性。本文首次在分子生物学水平上对大熊猫核基因组功能基因进行研究分析,其结果为深入开展大熊猫的神经系统疾病防治,神经生理以及分子进化,系统发育等方面的研究奠定了重要基础。     

脑源性神经营养因子及其临床研究进展

脑源性神经营养因子 (BDNF)是继神经生长因子 (NGF)后发现的第二个神经营养因子 ,在神经系统的发育、功能维持和神经元群的成形性上起重要作用。国内外正积极开发 BDNF用于神经损伤的治疗。本文就 BDNF的结构、功能、信号传导以及临床研究等作一综述     

大鼠肠道菌群变化影响其大脑海马脑源性神经营养因子的表达

目的探讨大鼠肠道菌群变化对海马脑源性神经营养因子(Brain-Derived Neurotropic Factor,BDNF)的影响。方法在雄性SD大鼠的饮用水中添加肠道不吸收的抗生素(新霉素、杆菌肽和游霉素),饮用1周、3周之后检测大鼠体重,采用变性梯度凝胶电泳(Denaturing Gradient Gel Electrophoresis,DGGE)的方法检测大鼠粪便中菌群的组成,并用实时定量PCR检测大鼠大脑海马BDNF的表达水平。结果与对照组相比,饮用抗生素的大鼠体重无明显差异,而肠道菌群有显著变化;抗生素饮用组海马BDNF的表达水平升高(P0.05)。结论肠道菌群变化可以影响大脑海马BDNF的表达。     

胶质细胞源性神经营养因子受体

胶质细胞源性神经营养因子能够促进多种神经细胞特别是多巴胺能神经元及运动神经元存活。胶质细胞源性神经营养因子的信号传递受体是ＲＥＴ受体酪氨酸激酶,受体α亚基是它与ＲＥＴ相互作用的媒介。胶质细胞源性神经营养因子生物学活性的发挥需要ＲＥＴ与受体α亚基同时存在。     

Precursor form of brain-derived neurotrophic factor and mature brain-derived neurotrophic factor are decreased in the pre-clinical stages of Alzheimer's disease

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is critical for the function and survival of neurons that degenerate in the late stage of Alzheimer's disease (AD). There are two forms of BDNF, the BDNF precursor (proBDNF) and mature BDNF, in human brain. Previous studies have shown that BDNF mRNA and protein, including proBDNF, are dramatically decreased in end-stage AD brain. To determine whether this BDNF decrease is an early or late event during the progression of cognitive decline, we used western blotting to measure the relative amounts of BDNF proteins in the parietal cortex of subjects clinically classified with no cognitive impairment (NCI), mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or mild to moderate AD. We found that the amount of proBDNF decreased 21 and 30% in MCI and AD groups, respectively, as compared with NCI, consistent with our previous results of a 40% decrease in end-stage AD. Mature BDNF was reduced 34 and 62% in MCI and AD groups, respectively. Thus, the decrease in mature BDNF and proBDNF precedes the decline in choline acetyltransferase activity which occurs later in AD. Both proBDNF and mature BDNF levels were positively correlated with cognitive measures such as the Global Cognitive Score and the Mini Mental State Examination score. These results demonstrate that the reduction of both forms of BDNF occurs early in the course of AD and correlates with loss of cognitive function, suggesting that proBDNF and BDNF play a role in synaptic loss and cellular dysfunction underlying cognitive impairment in AD.     

Galectin-1 induces astrocyte differentiation, which leads to production of brain-derived neurotrophic factor

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is a neuroprotective polypeptide that is thought to be responsible for neuron proliferation, differentiation, and survival. An agent that enhances production of BDNF is expected to be useful for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. Here we report that galectin-1, a member of the family of beta-galactoside binding proteins, induces astrocyte differentiation and strongly inhibits astrocyte proliferation, and then the differentiated astrocytes greatly enhance their production of BDNF. Induction of astrocyte differentiation and BDNF production by an endogenous mammalian lectin may be a new mechanism for preventing neuronal loss after injury.     

Induction of brain-derived neurotrophic factor by convulsant drugs in the rat brain: involvement of region-specific voltage-dependent calcium channels

A high level of hippocampal brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in normally aged as compared with young rats suggests that it is important to maintain a considerable level of hippocampal BDNF during aging in order to keep normal hippocampal functions. To elucidate possible mechanisms of endogenous BDNF increase, changes in levels of BDNF were studied in the rat brain following systemic administration of various convulsant agents; excitotoxic glutamate agonists, NMDA, kainic acid and (+/-)-alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methylisoxazole-4-propionic acid (AMPA); GABA receptor antagonists, picrotoxin, pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) and lindane (gamma-hexachlorocyclohexane); and L-type voltage-dependent calcium channel agonist, BAY-K 8644. Kainic acid and AMPA, but not NMDA, caused remarkable increases in BDNF protein in the rat hippocampus and entorhinal cortex. Picrotoxin, PTZ and lindane stimulated BDNF production in the entorhinal cortex and also in the hippocampus of rats showing very severe convulsions. On the other hand, BAY-K 8644 treatment increased BDNF levels in the neocortex and entorhinal cortex. Maximal levels of BDNF protein were observed at 12--24 h, 8--16 h and 6 h following administration of kainic acid, PTZ and BAY-K 8644, respectively. Kainic acid stimulated BDNF synthesis in presynaptic hippocampal granule neurons, but not in postsynaptic neurons with its receptors, while PTZ and BAY-K 8644 produced the same effects in postsynaptic neurons in the entorhinal cortex (in granule neurons in the hippocampus) and in the whole cortex, respectively. Nifedipine inhibited almost completely BAY-K 8644, but not PTZ, effects. omega-Conotoxin GVIA and DCG-IV partially blocked kainic acid-induced enhancement of BDNF, indicating involvement of L-type and N-type voltage-dependent calcium channels, respectively. In addition, BDNF levels in the hippocampus of mice deficient in D-myo-inositol-1,4,5-triphosphate receptor gene were scarcely different from those in the same region of controls, suggesting little involvement of intracellular calcium increase through this receptor. BAY-K 8644, but not kainic acid or PTZ, stimulated the phosphorylation of cyclic AMP responsive element binding protein. Our results indicate convulsant-dependent stimulation of BDNF production and involvement of region-specific voltage-dependent calcium channels.     

Secretion of brain-derived neurotrophic factor from PC12 cells in response to oxidative stress requires autocrine dopamine signaling

Expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is sensitive to changes in oxygen availability, suggesting that BDNF may be involved in adaptive responses to oxidative stress. However, it is unknown whether or not oxidative stress actually increases availability of BDNF by stimulating BDNF secretion. To approach this issue we examined BDNF release from PC12 cells, a well-established model of neurosecretion, in response to hypoxic stimuli. BDNF secretion from neuronally differentiated PC12 cells was strongly stimulated by exposure to intermittent hypoxia (IH). This response was inhibited by N-acetyl-l-cysteine, a potent scavenger of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and mimicked by exogenous ROS. IH-induced BDNF release requires activation of tetrodotoxin sensitive Na+ channels and Ca2+ influx through N- and L-type channels, as well as mobilization of internal Ca2+ stores. These results demonstrate that oxidative stress can stimulate BDNF release and that underlying mechanisms are similar to those previously described for activity-dependent BDNF secretion from neurons. Surprisingly, we also found that IH-induced secretion of BDNF was blocked by dopamine D2 receptor antagonists or by inhibition of dopamine synthesis with alpha-methyl-p-tyrosine. These data indicate that oxidative stress can stimulate BDNF release through an autocrine or paracrine loop that requires dopamine receptor activation.     

In vivo up-regulation of brain-derived neurotrophic factor in specific brain areas by chronic exposure to Delta-tetrahydrocannabinol

Cannabinoids are widely abused drugs. Here we show that chronic administration of Delta(9)-tetrahydrocannabinol (Delta(9)-THC), the active psychotropic agent in marijuana and hashish, at 1.5 mg per kg per day intraperitoneally for 7 days, increases the expression, at both mRNA and protein levels, of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), in specific rat brain areas, notably in those involved in reward and addiction. Real-time PCR revealed a 10-fold up-regulation of BDNF mRNA in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) upon chronic Delta(9)-THC treatment, but there was no change at 3 or 24 h after a single injection. Smaller increases in mRNA levels were found in the ventral tegmental area (VTA), medial prefrontal cortex and paraventricular nucleus (PVN). Immunohistochemistry showed large increases in BDNF-stained cells in the NAc (5.5-fold), posterior VTA (4-fold) and PVN (1.7-fold), but no change was observed in the anterior VTA, hippocampus or dorsal striatum. Altogether, our study indicates that chronic exposure to Delta(9)-THC up-regulates BDNF in specific brain areas involved with reward, and provides evidence for different BDNF expression in the anterior and posterior VTA. Moreover, BDNF is known to modulate synaptic plasticity and adaptive processes underlying learning and memory, leading to long-term functional and structural modification of synaptic connections. We suggest that Delta(9)-THC up-regulation of BDNF expression has an important role in inducing the neuroadaptive processes taking place upon exposure to cannabinoids.     

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor mediates an excitoprotective effect of dietary restriction in mice

Dietary restriction (DR; reduced calorie intake) increases the lifespan of rodents and increases their resistance to cancer, diabetes and other age-related diseases. DR also exerts beneficial effects on the brain including enhanced learning and memory and increased resistance of neurons to excitotoxic, oxidative and metabolic insults. The mechanisms underlying the effects of DR on neuronal plasticity and survival are unknown. In the present study we show that levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) are significantly increased in the hippocampus, cerebral cortex and striatum of mice maintained on an alternate day feeding DR regimen compared to animals fed ad libitum. Damage to hippocampal neurons induced by the excitotoxin kainic acid was significantly reduced in mice maintained on DR, and this neuroprotective effect was attenuated by intraventricular administration of a BDNF-blocking antibody. Our findings show that simply reducing food intake results in increased levels of BDNF in brain cells, and suggest that the resulting activation of BDNF signaling pathways plays a key role in the neuroprotective effect of DR. These results bolster accumulating evidence that DR may be an effective approach for increasing the resistance of the brain to damage and enhancing brain neuronal plasticity.     

Structure-function studies of human ciliary neurotrophic factor

Ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) is a polypeptide that promotes the survival and/or differentiation of a number of neural cell types. Here we present a structural and functional analysis of the human CNTF molecule. Variant proteins were synthesized byEscherichia coli trnsformmed with mutant cDNA constructs, and purified by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and reverse phase high pressure liquid chromatography. Most variant CNTF proteins lacked neurotrophic activity, but two N-and C-terminal deletions (2–14 and 173–200, respectively) actually displayed a several-fold increase in specific activity. Loss of biological activity was accompanied by changes in the alphahelical nature of CNTF as measured by circular dichroism. These data strengthen the proposed similarity between CNTF and the family of hematopoietic cytokines.     

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor shows a protective effect and improves recovery of the ERG b-wave response in light-damage

We investigated the neuroprotective effects of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and its influence on the functional recovery of the retina following light-induced retinal damage by electroretinogram (ERG). Rats were exposed to constant fluorescent light for 2, 5, 7, or 14 days, then returned to a cyclic light environment for 14 days. The result indicated that BDNF had few effects on the a-wave amplitude, but there was a statistically significant difference in the b-wave amplitudes between BDNF-treated and control eyes from day 0-14 of the recovery period following 2 days of light exposure (p < 0.05). Our findings suggest that BDNF not only protects the retinal neuronal function but also enhances the recovery from retinal light damage.     

Calcitonin gene-related peptide enhances release of native brain-derived neurotrophic factor from trigeminal ganglion neurons

Activity-dependent plasticity in nociceptive pathways has been implicated in pathomechanisms of chronic pain syndromes. Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), which is expressed by trigeminal nociceptors, has recently been identified as a key player in the mechanism of migraine headaches. Here we show that CGRP is coexpressed with brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in a large subset of adult rat trigeminal ganglion neurons in vivo. Using ELISA in situ, we show that CGRP (1-1000 nM) potently enhances BDNF release from cultured trigeminal neurons. The effect of CGRP is dose-dependent and abolished by pretreatment with CGRP receptor antagonist, CGRP(8-37). Intriguingly, CGRP-mediated BDNF release, unlike BDNF release evoked by physiological patterns of electrical stimulation, is independent of extracellular calcium. Depletion of intracellular calcium stores with thapsigargin blocks the CGRP-mediated BDNF release. Using transmission electron microscopy, our study also shows that BDNF-immunoreactivity is present in dense core vesicles of unmyelinated axons and axon terminals in the subnucleus caudalis of the spinal trigeminal nucleus, the primary central target of trigeminal nociceptors. Together, these results reveal a previously unknown role for CGRP in regulating BDNF availability, and point to BDNF as a candidate mediator of trigeminal nociceptive plasticity.