Invitrogen™ BDNF Rat ELISA Kit 

Description

The Rat Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (Rt BDNF) ELISA quantitates Rt BDNF in rat serum, plasma, or cell culture medium. The assay will exclusively recognize both natural and recombinant Rt BDNF. Principle of the method The Rat BDNF solid-phase sandwich ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) is designed to measure the amount of the target bound between a matched antibody pair. A target-specific antibody has been pre-coated in the wells of the supplied microplate. Samples, standards, or controls are then added into these wells and bind to the immobilized (capture) antibody. The sandwich is formed by the addition of the second (detector) antibody, a substrate solution is added that reacts with the enzyme-antibody-target complex to produce measurable signal. The intensity of this signal is directly proportional to the concentration of target present in the original specimen. Rigorous validation Each manufactured lot of this ELISA kit is quality tested for criteria such as sensitivity, specificity, precision, and lot-to-lot consistency. See manual for more information on validation.

BDNF (Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor) is a member of the neurotrophin family. BDNF is synthesized as pre-proBDNF, followed by cleavage to proBDNF. Although further processing generates the mature, 14 kDa protein, pro-BDNF is biologically active and is secreted in synaptic vesicles along with the mature form. BDNF is widely expressed in the central nervous system and acts in an autocrine and paracrine manner on several classes of neurons. Signaling occurs mainly through the tyrosine kinase receptor TrkB, although binding to the lower-affinity receptor, p75-NTR, has also been demonstrated. BDNF promotes neuronal survival and differentiation and has been shown to play a critical role in memory formation and synaptic regulation. BDNF is induced by cortical neurons, and is necessary for survival of striatal neurons in the brain. Expression of BDNF is reduced in both Alzheimer's and Huntington disease patients, and may also play a role in the regulation of stress response and in the biology of mood disorders.