Enzymes of the Nervous System

Dear Colleagues,

Enzymes enable biomolecular reactions and as such constitute one of the most important requirements for life. This is especially important for the nervous system, which has to remain functional throughout the lifetime of an individual.

In the nervous system, enzymes harbour roles that stretch from the intracellular level to the extracellular level, maintaining metabolism, cell survival and proliferation, and enabling intercellular communication and neuronal trophic support. Some examples include the involvement of enzymes in synaptic transmission, which is based on neurotransmitter passage between the pre- and post-synaptic membranes. This involves the controlled synthesis and degradation of such neurotransmitters. Additionally, the ubiquitin-proteasome system adjusts synaptic connections and synaptic plasticity, in which ubiquitination is regulated by a group of deubiquitinating enzymes. Similarly and at the same time, glial metabolism is involved in neuronal upkeep, e.g. by shuttling Krebs cycle substrates to neurons to maintain appropriate energy levels, and by depleting and degrading harmful end products of neuronal metabolism.

Several enzymes that take part in the vast array of reactions in the central and peripheral nervous systems are of clinical significance. Enzyme-associated pathology ranges from hereditary conditions to autoimmune and neurodegenerative diseases, and further to enzymes acting as targets for pathological natural compounds, such as venoms. Studying the molecular basis of these enzymes and their involvement in disease is a prerequisite for future medical treatments, which include the design of e.g. novel enzyme inhibitors, activators and pharmacological chaperones.

This Special Issue will focus on enzymes of the nervous system from a broad array of disciplines and approaches. To decipher the functional nuances of the nervous system on the biochemical level, and to tackle disease, it becomes evident that there is need to understand how the expression of enzymes, the modulation of their activity, and the impact of pathological mutations on enzyme structure and function affects the health of the nervous system. Original manuscripts and reviews of both basic and applied research are invited from all relevant branches of life sciences and natural sciences. We especially encourage the submission of manuscripts that take advantage of interdisciplinary approaches and novel experimental methodology.

Dr. Arne Raasakka
Dr. Salla Ruskamo
Ms. Oda C. Krokengen
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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