Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is a member of the neurotrophic growth factor family of proteins that are critical for the differentiation and survival of several classes of neurons in both the central nervous system and the peripheral nervous system. BDNF binds to and mediates its neurotrophic properties through the tyrosine kinase receptor TrkB. BDNF is synthesized and secreted as a prepropeptide that is proteolytically processed to yield the mature protein. Mouse and Human BDNF sequences are identical.