BDNF supports the survival and maintenance of neurons in the central nervous system and peripheral nervous systems. Some protein domains of BDNF are identical with those of NGF and another neurotrophic factor, designated NT-3 (neurotrophin-3). Polyclonal antibodies raised against murine NGF have been shown to cross-react with both NT-3 and BDNF. rHu BDNF produced in E. coli is a homodimer, non-glycosylated, polypeptide chain which contains 2 x 119 amino acids and has a total molecular mass of 26.89 kDa.