Associations of Bdnf with chemical compounds

Although proneurotrophins have been considered inactive precursors, we show here that the proforms of nerve growth factor (NGF) and the proforms of brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) are secreted and cleaved extracellularly by the serine protease plasmin and by selective matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). In contrast to BDNF, the action of NT4 was independent of calcium influx through NMDA receptors and L-type calcium channels.