Description
This gene encodes a member of the trypsin family of serine proteases and contains a signal peptide, a proline-rich region, a Kringle domain, four scavenger receptor cysteine-rich domains, and a trypsin-like serine protease domain. The protein, sometimes referred to as neurotrypsin or motopsin, is secreted from neuronal cells and localizes to the synaptic cleft. Studies in mice show that this protein cleaves a protein, agrin, that is important for the formation and maintenance of exitatory synapses. Defects in this gene cause a form of autosomal recessive cognitive impairment (MRT1).