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Neurobiology

Neurotrophin channels excitement

Sodium-ion channels usually open in response to a voltage change across the membrane in which they sit. But, surprisingly, a growth factor secreted by neurons also rapidly triggers the opening of a specific sodium channel.

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Figure 1: Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is a versatile protein.

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Correspondence to Yves-Alain Barde.

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Barde, YA. Neurotrophin channels excitement. Nature 419, 683–684 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1038/419683a

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