Effects of age and retinal degeneration on the expression of proprotein convertases in the visual cortex.

摘要: Proprotein convertases (PCs) comprise a large family of subtilisin-like, eukaryotic, serine endoproteases that process substrates important in the development, homeostasis, and pathology nervous system. Despite interactions with these substrates, including neurotrophins, PC expression throughout normal postnatal development disease progression brain remains unknown. The primary objective this study was to determine whether profiles widely expressed tissue-specific PCs varied during or neurological disorders. We examined mRNAs for seven visual cortex visually impaired mice at 10 developmental time points between Week 1 35. Widely (furin, PACE4, PC5, PC7) all exhibited similar profile. High mRNA levels were seen generally lower over next 5-6 weeks. In mice, again profile, but it dramatically different than observed mice. temporal wild-type Interestingly, variability sharply reduced Overall, data suggest timetable altered corresponds closely formation functional maps cortex. implications findings are discussed context neurotrophin processing synaptogenesis developing