title: [The role of calpains in the regulation of synaptic function].
abstract: Calpains are calcium-activated neutral cysteine proteases, involved in the regulation of a number of physiological functions. Substrates of calpains include receptors, kinases, phosphatases, cytoskeleton and synaptosomal proteins. Some of them undergo complete degradation, though most of the substrates are subjected to limited proteolysis, which results in proteins having new properties. In the following review, we discuss involvement of calpains in the regulation of synapse structure and function. Namely, calpains participate in the regulation of synthesis, release and reuptake of neurotransmitters, modulation of receptors, stabilization or destabilization of the neuronal cytoskeleton. However, uncontrolled hyperactivation of calpains leads to dysregulation of these processes causing neuronal death.
authors.forename: M N
authors.initials: MN
authors.lastname: Karpenko
authors.forename: M S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Tikhomirova
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002154:Calpain / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents / Q000378:metabolism*; D059748:Proteolysis; D009435:Synaptic Transmission / Q000502:physiology*; D013572:Synaptic Vesicles / Q000201:enzymology*
chemical_list: D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents; D002154:Calpain