LIM kinases in synaptic plasticity and their potential as therapeutic targets

摘要

LIM domain kinases(LIMKs),which modulate cytoskeletal dynamics,are found throughout the central nervous system.The synaptic junctions between neurons show structural alteration or plasticity during neurodevelopment,learning and memory formation,or after injury and disease;in some cases completely new connections form,while others are lost.This remodeling is under the control of the actin cytoskeleton and therefore is influenced by the activity of LIMKs(Scott and Olson,2007).Recent reports discussed in this perspective shed light on the potential role of LIMK in hippocampal dendritic spines and photoreceptor presynaptic terminals and illustrate the importance of LIMK in nerve cell function.