Caspase 2

Scientists discover ‘forgetting’ enzyme that lops brain cell branches

August 09, 2019

Artigo recomendado pela AMICOR Maria Inês Reinert Azambuja

JUPITER, FL — An enzyme called caspase 2 plays a key role in cognition by helping to remove unwanted connections, or synapses, between neurons in the brain, a new study from scientists at the Florida campus of Scripps Research suggests.

This “synapse pruning” process, together with the opposing process in which new synapses are formed, underlies everyday learning as well as the healthy maturation of the brain during childhood. The Scripps Research scientists used a variety of experimental approaches, including behavioral studies in genetically engineered mice, to show that synapse pruning depends heavily on caspase 2.