The role of extracellular proteolysis in synaptic plasticity of the central nervous system
Journal Title: Advances in Hygiene and Experimental Medicine - Year 2012, Vol 66, Issue 0
Abstract
The extracellular matrix (ECM) of the central nervous system has a specific structure and protein composition that are different from those in other organs. Today we know that the ECM not only provides physical scaffolding for the neurons and glia, but also actively modifies their functions. Over the last two decades, a growing body of research evidence has been collected, suggesting an important role of ECM proteolysis in synaptic plasticity of the brain. So far the majority of data concern two large families of proteases: the serine proteases and the matrix metalloproteinases. The members of these families are localized at the synapses, and are secreted into the extracellular space in an activity-dependent manner. The proteases remodel the local environment as well as influencing synapse structure and function. The structural modifications induced by proteases include shape and size changes, as well as synapse elimination, and synaptogenesis. The functional changes include modifications of receptor function in the postsynaptic part of the synapse, as well as the potentiation or depression of neurotransmitter secretion by the presynaptic site. The present review summarizes the current view on the role of extracellular proteolysis in the physiological synaptic plasticity underlying the phenomena of learning and memory, as well as in the pathological plasticity occurring during epileptogenesis or development of drug addiction.
Authors and Affiliations
Klaudia Ziemiańska, Anna Konopka, Grzegorz Wilczyński
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP66834
- DOI -
- Views 140
- Downloads 0
Limfocyty regulatorowe w orbitopatii tarczycowej i autoimmunologicznych chorobach tarczycy
Orbitopatia tarczycowa (OT), jako swoista narządowa choroba autoimmunologiczna, jest skutkiem immunodysregulacji prowadzącej do utraty kontroli nad odpowiedzią zapalną skierowaną przeciwko własnym antygenom. Źródłem auto...
Charakterystyka subpopulacji limfocytów T
W pracy omówiono subpopulacje limfocytów T, to jest komórek pomocniczych, cytotoksycznych, regulatorowych, pamięci i innych oraz odmian tych limfocytów. Obecnie wśród komórek T-pomocniczych wyodrębnia się: limfocyty Th0,...
Anesthesiology and the cytokine network
The immune response is a highly specific reaction carried out by means of specialized cells that belong to the immune system. There are two types of immune response mechanisms aimed towards pathogens: non-specific, innat...
Yamanaka’s factors and core transcription factors – the molecular link between embryogenesis and carcinogenesis
Oct4 and Sox2 transcription factors (belonging to the Yamanaka’s factor family) and Nanog, named together as core transcription factors of pluripotency, are indispensable to induce and maintain the pluripotency state. Th...
Różnego typu infekcje u niemowląt i małych dzieci chorych na atopowe zapalenie skóry – obserwacje własne
Cel: Celem pracy była ocena różnego typu infekcji u niemowląt i małych dzieci, w wieku 0–36 miesięcy, chorych na atopowe zapalenie skóry w praktyce lekarza rodzinnego. Materiał/Metody: Badanie było przeprowadzone na pods...