MT5-MMP regulates adult neural stem cell functional quiescence through the cleavage of N-cadherin

Understanding how adhesion to the niche influences the behaviour of neural stem cells (NSCs) would contribute to our knowledge of tissue renewal. Farinas and colleagues have found that a metalloprotease sheds the N-cadherin ectodomain in the niche and that this participates in the activation of NSC generation and identity.