Proteases of human brain

Growing appreciation of the multiple functions of proteolytic enzymes in intracellular protein degradation and post-translational modification, in the release of biologically active macromolecules and peptides from precursors and in cellular protein regulation and quality control has stimulated interest in proteases in neurobiology and neuropathology. In this article, the proteinases and peptidases thus far studied in the human central nervous system are reviewed with respect to their enzymology, anatomical and cytological distributions and contributions to neurological and psychiatric disease states. Though information concerning brain proteases in man is fragmentary, it suffices to establish the importance of these complex systems for advancing knowledge of human cerebral function in health and disease.The authors are privileged to submit this contribution for the Special Issue of Neurochemical Research honoring Professor K. A. C. Elliott—distinguished pioneer in neurochemistry and a cherished mentor and former colleague of one of us (AP).