Contributions of Matrix Metalloproteinases to Neural Plasticity, Habituation, Associative Learning and Drug Addiction

Figure 1

Diagram describing the influences of PAI-1, tPA/uPA, plasminogen and plasmin upon the conversion of pro-MMPs to active MMPs. Many active MMPs function to degrade the ECM; while TIMPs are designed to deactivate the MMPs thus preserving ECM molecules and connections. Modified from Wright and Harding [29] (potential contributions in the areas of memory consolidation, reconsolidation, and retrieval).