Excitotoxin-induced neuronal degeneration and seizure are mediated by tissue plasminogen activator
Article Abstract:
Mice deficient in tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) are unaffected by neuronal degeneration in the hippocampus suggesting a role for tPA in neuronal degeneration and seizure. Stimulation of neuronal activity in the hippocampus of rat and mouse subjects results in enhanced transcription of tPA, a protease that brings about the activation of plasminogen to protease plasmin. Neuronal degeneration is seen in many brain diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, brain ischaemia and epilepsy. Therefore, inhibition of tPA may be a therapy for these diseases.
Publication Name: Nature
Subject: Zoology and wildlife conservation
ISSN: 0028-0836
Year: 1995
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Neuronal cell death and tPA
Article Abstract:
Tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) can cause neuronal death in adult mice at the time of excitotoxic insult. Infusion with tPA causes proteolytic activity, and a marked neurodegeneration in the kainate-injected hippocampus. Mice infused with plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 show resistance to tPA-induced neuronal death. This indicates that inhibition of the enzymatic activity of tPA can retard neuronal degeneration. Implications for treatment of neuropathological conditions involving excitotoxic damage to the brain are outlined.
Publication Name: Nature
Subject: Zoology and wildlife conservation
ISSN: 0028-0836
Year: 1996
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Cut to the chase
Article Abstract:
A family of protease enzymes called caspases, which are known for their involvement in programmed cell-death, are found to be very important in the progression of two neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's and Huntington's disease. Caspase-3 and caspase-6 have unique set of substrate specificities that does not overlap with those of other caspases and hence the selective inhibitors of these caspases are found to block the symptoms of Alzheimer's and Huntington's disease.
Publication Name: Nature
Subject: Zoology and wildlife conservation
ISSN: 0028-0836
Year: 2006
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