title: Neural ECM proteases in learning and synaptic plasticity.
abstract: Recent studies implicate extracellular proteases in synaptic plasticity, learning, and memory. The data are especially strong for such serine proteases as thrombin, tissue plasminogen activator, neurotrypsin, and neuropsin as well as matrix metalloproteinases, MMP-9 in particular. The role of those enzymes in the aforementioned phenomena is supported by the experimental results on the expression patterns (at the gene expression and protein and enzymatic activity levels) and functional studies, including knockout mice, specific inhibitors, etc. Counterintuitively, the studies have shown that the extracellular proteolysis is not responsible mainly for an overall degradation of the extracellular matrix (ECM) and loosening perisynaptic structures, but rather allows for releasing signaling molecules from the ECM, transsynaptic proteins, and latent form of growth factors. Notably, there are also indications implying those enzymes in the major neuropsychiatric disorders, probably by contributing to synaptic aberrations underlying such diseases as schizophrenia, bipolar, autism spectrum disorders, and drug addiction.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Biosciences and Applications, NCSR "Demokritos", Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Effie
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Tsilibary
authors.affiliation: Institute of Biosciences and Applications, NCSR "Demokritos", Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Athina
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tzinia
authors.affiliation: Center for Laser Microscopy, Institute for Physiology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Biology, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia.
authors.forename: Lidija
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Radenovic
authors.affiliation: Center for Laser Microscopy, Institute for Physiology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Biology, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia.
authors.forename: Vera
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Stamenkovic
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular and Cellular Neurobiology, Nencki Institute, Warsaw, Poland.
authors.forename: Tomasz
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Lebitko
authors.affiliation: University of Exeter, Exeter, UK.
authors.forename: Mariusz
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mucha
authors.affiliation: University of Exeter, Exeter, UK.
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Pawlak
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurochemistry and Molecular Biology, Leibniz Institute for Neurobiology, Magdeburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Renato
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Frischknecht
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular and Cellular Neurobiology, Nencki Institute, Warsaw, Poland. Electronic address: l.kaczmarek@nencki.gov.pl.
authors.forename: Leszek
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Kaczmarek
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000166:cytology*; D001927:Brain Diseases / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D005109:Extracellular Matrix / Q000201:enzymology*; D006801:Humans; D007858:Learning / Q000502:physiology*; D009473:Neuronal Plasticity / Q000502:physiology*; D009474:Neurons / Q000502:physiology*; D010447:Peptide Hydrolases
chemical_list: D010447:Peptide Hydrolases
keywords: Addiction; Autism; Cognitive behavior; Extracellular matrix; Long-term potentiation; Metalloproteinases; Schizophrenia; Thrombin; Trypsin