Cathepsins in neuronal plasticity

Proteases are enzymes that break down other proteins. Cathepsins are a class of proteases found in lysosomes, which are important for cellular degradation and recycling. Cathepsins are involved in many cell activities; this review focuses on their role in neuronal plasticity, especially Cathepsin B. Cathepsin activity is essential for lysosomes to function. When lysosomes don't work correctly, cellular processes are disrupted. However, controlled activation of cathepsins in specific neuronal structures, like growth cones and dendritic spines, aids in their plasticity. This review looks at how cathepsin activity is regulated and what happens when it's not. It clarifies how cathepsins can contribute to both neuronal plasticity and neurodegeneration.

• 1
  Dysregulation of cathepsins, particularly after spinal cord injury, exacerbates inflammation and damages tissue, disrupting processes like autophagy and lysosomal function.
• 2
  Cathepsins B and D are involved in extracellular matrix remodeling, which is important for neuronal plasticity, including axon regeneration and dendritic spine growth in the central nervous system.
• 3
  Cathepsin B secretion by axon growth cones is crucial for remodeling the extracellular matrix and degrading regeneration-inhibitory CSPGs after spinal cord injury. Understanding the role of cathepsin B will help enhance neuronal plasticity.