Protease inhibitors and their involvement in neurological disorders

Abstract

Catalytically active proteases are effectively blocked by their endogenous inhibitors under normal conditions. However, any change in level of synthesis and/or function of the proteases or their endogenous inhibitors may result in enzyme activity without inhibitory control. Uncontrolled proteolysis as a result of imbalance between active proteases and their endogenous inhibitors has been associated with different neuronal diseases, including brain tumors, stroke, some forms of epilepsy, Alzheimer's disease, and neurological autoimmune diseases. This chapter describes protease inhibitors and summarizes the current appreciation of their involvement in neurological disorders with particular emphasis on Alzheimer's disease (AD). © 2007 Springer-Verlag US.