Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Role of Matrix Metalloproteases in Degradation of ECM01:23

Role of Matrix Metalloproteases in Degradation of ECM

3.8K
Matrix metalloproteases (MMPs) are enzymes involved in the hydrolysis of proteins and glycoproteins of the extracellular matrix. MMPs are essential for the migration and proliferation of cells through the dense matrix network, throughout embryonic development, and throughout morphogenesis. The first MMP activity discovered was a collagenase in a tadpole's tail undergoing metamorphosis. The active collagen deposition and modifications lead to the morphogenesis of tadpoles into the adult...
3.8K
Long-term Potentiation01:25

Long-term Potentiation

4.0K
Long-term potentiation, or LTP, is one of the ways by which synaptic plasticity—changes in the strength of chemical synapses—can occur in the brain. LTP is the process of synaptic strengthening that occurs over time between pre and postsynaptic neuronal connections. The synaptic strengthening of LTP works in opposition to the synaptic weakening of long-term depression (LTD) and together are the main mechanisms that underlie learning and memory.
Hebbian LTP
LTP can occur when...
4.0K
Long-term Potentiation01:35

Long-term Potentiation

59.8K
Long-term potentiation, or LTP, is one of the ways by which synaptic plasticity—changes in the strength of chemical synapses—can occur in the brain. LTP is the process of synaptic strengthening that occurs over time between pre- and postsynaptic neuronal connections. The synaptic strengthening of LTP works in opposition to the synaptic weakening of long-term depression (LTD) and together are the main mechanisms that underlie learning and memory.
59.8K
Neuroplasticity01:01

Neuroplasticity

2.7K
Neuroplasticity reflects the brain's remarkable capacity to adapt and evolve, responding dynamically to learning, experiences, or injury by reorganizing its neural circuitry. This reorganization involves creating new neural connections and refining old ones through a series of biological processes that contribute to the brain's lifelong development and adaptability.
2.7K
The Extracellular Matrix01:42

The Extracellular Matrix

91.5K
Overview
91.5K
The Extracellular Matrix01:29

The Extracellular Matrix

13.8K
Overview
In order to maintain tissue organization, many animal cells are surrounded by structural molecules that make up the extracellular matrix (ECM). Together, the molecules in the ECM maintain the structural integrity of tissue as well as the remarkable specific properties of certain tissues.
Composition of the Extracellular Matrix
The extracellular matrix (ECM) is commonly composed of ground substance, a gel-like fluid, fibrous components, and many structurally and functionally diverse...
13.8K

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Genetic rescue of disrupted synaptic protein interaction network dynamics following SYNGAP1 reactivation.

Molecular & cellular proteomics : MCP·2026
Same author

Functional recovery of the adult murine hippocampus after cryopreservation by vitrification.

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·2026
Same author

Lcn2 deficiency leads to long-lasting social impairments independent of maternal immune activation.

Journal of neuroinflammation·2026
Same author

Genetic rescue of disrupted synaptic protein interaction network dynamics following <i>SYNGAP1</i> reactivation.

bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology·2026
Same author

Dissociation of the mTOR Protein Interaction Network Following Neuronal Activation Is Altered by Shank3 Mutation.

Journal of neurochemistry·2026
Same author

Activity-dependent extracellular proteolytic cascade cleaves the ECM component brevican to promote structural plasticity.

EMBO reports·2025

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Apr 20, 2026

Slice Patch Clamp Technique for Analyzing Learning-Induced Plasticity
11:56

Slice Patch Clamp Technique for Analyzing Learning-Induced Plasticity

Published on: November 11, 2017

16.6K

Neural ECM proteases in learning and synaptic plasticity.

Effie Tsilibary1, Athina Tzinia1, Lidija Radenovic2

  • 1Institute of Biosciences and Applications, NCSR "Demokritos", Athens, Greece.

Progress in Brain Research
|November 21, 2014
PubMed
Summary

Extracellular proteases, like matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), are crucial for synaptic plasticity, learning, and memory. These enzymes release signaling molecules rather than degrade the extracellular matrix, and are implicated in neuropsychiatric disorders.

Keywords:
AddictionAutismCognitive behaviorExtracellular matrixLong-term potentiationMetalloproteinasesSchizophreniaThrombinTrypsin

More Related Videos

Acquisition of a High-precision Skilled Forelimb Reaching Task in Rats
08:59

Acquisition of a High-precision Skilled Forelimb Reaching Task in Rats

Published on: June 22, 2015

11.1K
Cell Subtype-specific Analysis of Neuronal Membrane Proteasome in Somatosensory Neurons
09:27

Cell Subtype-specific Analysis of Neuronal Membrane Proteasome in Somatosensory Neurons

Published on: October 10, 2025

754

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Apr 20, 2026

Slice Patch Clamp Technique for Analyzing Learning-Induced Plasticity
11:56

Slice Patch Clamp Technique for Analyzing Learning-Induced Plasticity

Published on: November 11, 2017

16.6K
Acquisition of a High-precision Skilled Forelimb Reaching Task in Rats
08:59

Acquisition of a High-precision Skilled Forelimb Reaching Task in Rats

Published on: June 22, 2015

11.1K
Cell Subtype-specific Analysis of Neuronal Membrane Proteasome in Somatosensory Neurons
09:27

Cell Subtype-specific Analysis of Neuronal Membrane Proteasome in Somatosensory Neurons

Published on: October 10, 2025

754

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Molecular Biology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Extracellular proteases are increasingly recognized for their roles in brain function.
  • Serine proteases and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are key examples.
  • Their involvement extends to synaptic plasticity, learning, and memory processes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the evidence implicating extracellular proteases in synaptic plasticity, learning, and memory.
  • To elucidate the precise mechanisms by which these proteases influence neuronal function.
  • To explore the potential role of extracellular proteases in neuropsychiatric disorders.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of gene expression, protein levels, and enzymatic activity of proteases.
  • Functional studies using knockout mice and specific protease inhibitors.
  • Review of experimental results and existing literature.

Main Results:

  • Extracellular proteases, particularly MMP-9, play a significant role in synaptic plasticity, learning, and memory.
  • These enzymes facilitate synaptic function by releasing signaling molecules, transsynaptic proteins, and growth factors, not primarily by degrading the extracellular matrix.
  • Evidence suggests a link between extracellular proteases and synaptic aberrations in neuropsychiatric conditions.

Conclusions:

  • Extracellular proteases are vital regulators of synaptic plasticity and cognitive functions.
  • Their non-degradative roles in releasing signaling molecules are critical for neuronal communication.
  • Dysregulation of these proteases may contribute to the pathophysiology of major neuropsychiatric disorders.