The role of pro-domain BDNF in depression

2010 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 21890154
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Research Activity Start-up
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Research Field: Psychiatric science
• Research Institution: Hiroshima University
• Principal Investigator: MATSUMOTO Tomoya Hiroshima University, 大学院・医歯薬学総合研究科, 研究員 (30552567)
• Research Collaborator: YAMAWAKI Shigeto 広島大学, 大学院・医歯薬学合研究科, 教授 (40230601) ; MORINOBU Shigeru 広島大学, 大学院・医歯薬学合研究科, 准教授 (30191042) ; KOJIMA Masami 産業技術総合研究所, セルエンジニアリング研究部門, グループ長 (40344171) ; TAKAHASHI Masami 北里大学, 医学部, 教授 (10318826)
• Project Period (FY): 2009 – 2010
• Keywords: うつ病 / BDNF / pro-domain

Research Abstract

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is a secreted protein that plays a key role in brain function, while the function of pro-domain BDNF was unknown. In this study, pro-domain BDNF was detected in brain neurons for the first time. It might exist as a complex with BDNF. The role of pro-domain BDNF in depression is being examined.