title: Synaptic plasticity: one STEP at a time.
abstract: Striatal enriched tyrosine phosphatase (STEP) has recently been identified as a crucial player in the regulation of synaptic function. It is restricted to neurons within the CNS and acts by downregulating the activity of MAP kinases, the tyrosine kinase Fyn and NMDA receptors. By modulating these substrates, STEP acts on several parallel pathways that impact upon the progression of synaptic plasticity. Here, we review recent advances that demonstrate the importance of STEP in normal cognitive function, and its possible involvement in cognitive disorders such as Alzheimer's disease.
authors.affiliation: AGY Therapeutics Inc., 270 E. Grand Avenue, South San Francisco, CA 94080, USA. spbraithwaite@sbcglobal.net
authors.forename: Steven P
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Braithwaite
authors.forename: Surojit
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Paul
authors.forename: Angus C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Nairn
authors.forename: Paul J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Lombroso
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D008954:Models, Biological; D009473:Neuronal Plasticity / Q000502:physiology*; D017027:Protein Tyrosine Phosphatases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology; D013569:Synapses / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D017027:Protein Tyrosine Phosphatases