Extracellular cathepsin L stimulates axonal growth in neurons

• Published in: BMC research notes Vol. 10; no. 1; p. 613
• Main Authors: Tohda, Chihiro, Tohda, Michihisa
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England BioMed Central Ltd 23.11.2017; BioMed Central; BMC
• Subjects: Animals; Axonal growth; Axons; Axons - physiology; Cathepsin L; Cathepsin L - physiology; Cathepsins; Cells, Cultured; Cerebral Cortex - physiology; Cortical neurons; Dendrites - physiology; Genetic aspects; Mice; Neurons; Physiological aspects; Recombinant Proteins; Research Note; Spinal Cord - physiology; Spinal cord neurons; Japan; Axonal growth; Cathepsin L; Cortical neurons; Spinal cord neurons
• ISSN: 1756-0500; 1756-0500
• DOI: 10.1186/s13104-017-2940-y

Cathepsin L, a lysosomal endopeptidase expressed in most eukaryotic cells, is a member of the papain-like family of cysteine proteases. Although commonly recognized as a lysosomal protease, cathepsin L is also secreted and involved in the degradation of extracellular matrix proteins. Previous studies demonstrated that the secretion of cathepsin L was stimulated by basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and bFGF-enhanced axonal terminal sprouting of motor neurons. Based on these results, although it has never been directly investigated, we hypothesized that extracellular cathepsin L may induce axonal growth. To confirm the hypothesis, the axonal growth activity of recombinant cathepsin L was evaluated in cultured cortical and spinal cord neurons. Treatment with recombinant cathepsin L significantly enhanced axonal growth, but not dendritic growth. This result indicated that extracellular cathepsin L may act as a new neuronal network modulator.