Synaptic plasticity: one STEP at a time

Striatal enriched tyrosine phosphatase (STEP) has recently been identified as a crucial player in the regulation of synaptic function. It is restricted to neurons within the CNS and acts by downregulating the activity of MAP kinases, the tyrosine kinase Fyn and NMDA receptors. By modulating these su...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Trends in neurosciences (Regular ed.) 2006-08, Vol.29 (8), p.452-458
Main Authors: Braithwaite, Steven P., Paul, Surojit, Nairn, Angus C., Lombroso, Paul J.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Alzheimer's disease
Animals
Biological and medical sciences
Degenerative and inherited degenerative diseases of the nervous system. Leukodystrophies. Prion diseases
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
General aspects. Models. Methods
Humans
Medical sciences
Models, Biological
Neurology
Neuronal Plasticity - physiology
Neurons
Phosphates
Protein Tyrosine Phosphatases - genetics
Protein Tyrosine Phosphatases - metabolism
Signal Transduction - physiology
Synapses - metabolism
Vertebrates: nervous system and sense organs
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Summary:Striatal enriched tyrosine phosphatase (STEP) has recently been identified as a crucial player in the regulation of synaptic function. It is restricted to neurons within the CNS and acts by downregulating the activity of MAP kinases, the tyrosine kinase Fyn and NMDA receptors. By modulating these substrates, STEP acts on several parallel pathways that impact upon the progression of synaptic plasticity. Here, we review recent advances that demonstrate the importance of STEP in normal cognitive function, and its possible involvement in cognitive disorders such as Alzheimer's disease.
ISSN:0166-2236
1878-108X
DOI:10.1016/j.tins.2006.06.007