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Pro-region of neurotrophins: role in synaptic modulation
1Section on Neural Development and Plasticity, National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA. bailu@mail.nih.gov
Abstract:
Neurotrophins are synthesized first as precursors, followed by maturation through proteolytic removal of the "pro" region. Since pro- and mature neurotrophins elicit opposite functional effects by differential interactions with Trks and p75 receptors, extracellular cleavage represents a new way to control the synaptic functions of neurotrophins. A single nucleotide mutation in the pro-region appears to affect synaptic targeting and activity-dependent secretion of BDNF in hippocampal neurons. These results demonstrate new mechanisms by which neurotrophins regulate synaptic plasticity and memory function.