Death and survival of neuronal cells exposed to Alzheimer's insults

Palladium-catalyzed synthesis and anti-AD biological activity evaluation of N-aryl-debenzeyldonepezil analogues

A series of novel N-aryl-debenzeyldonepezil derivatives (1-26) were designed and synthesized as cholinesterase inhibitors by the modification of anti-Alzheimer's disease drug donepezil, using Palladium catalyzed Buchwald-Hartwig cross-coupling reaction as a key chemical synthesis strategy. In vitro cholinesterase inhibition studies demonstrated that the majority of synthesized compounds exhibited high selective inhibition of AChE. Among them, analogue 13 possessing a quinoline functional group showed the most potent AChE inhibition effect and significant neuroprotective effect against H2O2-induced injury in SH-SY5Y cells. Furthermore, Compound 13 did not show significant cytotoxicity on SH-SY5Y. These results suggest that 13 is a potential multifunctional active molecule for treating Alzheimer's disease.

Interplay between stress-related genes may influence Alzheimer's disease development: The results of genetic interaction analyses of human data

Emerging evidence from experimental and clinical research suggests that stress-related genes may play key roles in AD development. The fact that genome-wide association studies were not able to detect a contribution of such genes to AD indicates the possibility that these genes may influence AD non-linearly, through interactions of their products. In this paper, we selected two stress-related genes (GCN2/EIF2AK4 and APP) based on recent findings from experimental studies which suggest that the interplay between these genes might influence AD in humans. To test this hypothesis, we evaluated the effects of interactions between SNPs in these two genes on AD occurrence, using the Health and Retirement Study data on white indidividuals. We found several interacting SNP-pairs whose associations with AD remained statistically significant after correction for multiple testing. These findings emphasize the importance of nonlinear mechanisms of polygenic AD regulation that cannot be detected in traditional association studies. To estimate collective effects of multiple interacting SNP-pairs on AD, we constructed a new composite index, called Interaction Polygenic Risk Score, and showed that its association with AD is highly statistically significant. These results open a new avenue in the analyses of mechanisms of complex multigenic AD regulation.

Humanin analogue, HNG, inhibits platelet activation and thrombus formation by stabilizing platelet microtubules

HNG, a highly potent mutant of the anti-Alzheimer peptide-humanin, has been shown to protect against ischaemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury. However, the underlying mechanism related to platelet activation remains unknown. We proposed that HNG has an effect on platelet function and thrombus formation. In this study, platelet aggregation, granule secretion, clot retraction, integrin activation and adhesion under flow conditions were evaluated. In mice receiving HNG or saline, cremaster arterial thrombus formation induced by laser injury, tail bleeding time and blood loss were recorded. Platelet microtubule depolymerization was evaluated using immunofluorescence staining. Results showed that HNG inhibited platelet aggregation, P-selectin expression, ATP release, and α_IIb β₃ activation and adhesion under flow conditions. Mice receiving HNG had attenuated cremaster arterial thrombus formation, although the bleeding time was not prolonged. Moreover, HNG significantly inhibited microtubule depolymerization, enhanced tubulin acetylation in platelets stimulated by fibrinogen or microtubule depolymerization reagent, nocodazole, and inhibited AKT and ERK phosphorylation downstream of HDAC6 by collagen stimulation. Therefore, our results identified a novel role of HNG in platelet function and thrombus formation potentially through stabilizing platelet microtubules via tubulin acetylation. These findings suggest a potential benefit of HNG in the management of cardiovascular diseases.

Humanin Attenuates NMDA-Induced Excitotoxicity by Inhibiting ROS-dependent JNK/p38 MAPK Pathway

Humanin (HN) is a novel 24-amino acid peptide that protects neurons against N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA)-induced toxicity. However, the contribution of the different mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) signals to HN neuroprotection against NMDA neurotoxicity remains unclear. The present study was therefore aimed to investigate neuroprotective mechanisms of HN. We analyzed intracellular Ca²⁺ levels, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, and the MAPKs signal transduction cascade using an in vitro NMDA-mediated excitotoxicity of cortical neurons model. Results showed that: (1) HN attenuated NMDA-induced neuronal insults by increasing cell viability, decreasing lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release, and increasing cell survival; (2) HN reversed NMDA-induced increase in intracellular calcium; (3) pretreatment by HN or 1,2-bis(2-aminophenoxy)ethane-N,N,N’,N’-tetraacetic acid (BAPTA-AM), an intracellular calcium chelator, decreased ROS generation after NMDA exposure; (4) administration of HN or N-Acetyl-l-cysteine (NAC), a ROS scavenger, inhibited NMDA-induced JNK and p38 MAPK activation. These results indicated that HN reduced intracellular elevation of Ca²⁺ levels, which, in turn, inhibited ROS generation and subsequent JNK and p38 MAPK activation that are involved in promoting cell survival in NMDA-induced excitotoxicity. Therefore, the present study suggests that inhibition of ROS-dependent JNK/p38 MAPK signaling pathway serves an effective strategy for HN neuroprotection against certain neurological diseases.

Dendrobium alkaloids prevent Aβ25-35-induced neuronal and synaptic loss via promoting neurotrophic factors expression in mice

BACKGROUND

Neuronal and synaptic loss is the most important risk factor for cognitive impairment. Inhibiting neuronal apoptosis and preventing synaptic loss are promising therapeutic approaches for Alzheimer's disease (AD). In this study, we investigate the protective effects of Dendrobium alkaloids (DNLA), a Chinese medicinal herb extract, on β-amyloid peptide segment 25-35 (Aβ_25-35)-induced neuron and synaptic loss in mice.

METHOD

Aβ_25-35(10 µg) was injected into the bilateral ventricles of male mice followed by an oral administration of DNLA (40 mg/kg) for 19 days. The Morris water maze was used for evaluating the ability of spatial learning and memory function of mice. The morphological changes were examined via H&E staining and Nissl staining. TUNEL staining was used to check the neuronal apoptosis. The ultrastructure changes of neurons were observed under electron microscope. Western blot was used to evaluate the protein expression levels of ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF), glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF), and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in the hippocampus and cortex.

RESULTS

DNLA significantly attenuated Aβ_25-35-induced spatial learning and memory impairments in mice. DNLA prevented Aβ_25-35-induced neuronal loss in the hippocampus and cortex, increased the number of Nissl bodies, improved the ultrastructural injury of neurons and increased the number of synapses in neurons. Furthermore, DNLA increased the protein expression of neurotrophic factors BDNF, CNTF and GDNF in the hippocampus and cortex.

CONCLUSIONS

DNLA can prevent neuronal apoptosis and synaptic loss. This effect is mediated at least in part via increasing the expression of BDNF, GDNF and CNTF in the hippocampus and cortex; improving Aβ-induced spatial learning and memory impairment in mice.

Luteinizing hormone as a key player in the cognitive decline of Alzheimer's disease

This article is part of a Special Issue "SBN 2014". Alzheimer's disease is one of the most prevalent and costly neurological diseases in the world. Although decades of research have focused on understanding Alzheimer's disease pathology and progression, there is still a great lack of clinical treatments for those who suffer from it. One of the factors most commonly associated with the onset of Alzheimer's disease is a decrease in levels of gonadal hormones, such as estrogens and androgens. Despite the correlational and experimental data which support the role of these hormones in the etiology of Alzheimer's disease, clinical trials involving their reintroduction through hormone therapy have had varied results and these gonadal hormones often have accompanying health risks. More recently, investigation has turned toward other hormones in the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis that are disrupted by age-related decreases in gonadal hormones. Specifically, luteinizing hormone, which is increased with age in both men and women (in response to removal of negative feedback), has surfaced as a potentially powerful player in the risk and onset of Alzheimer's disease. Mounting evidence in basic research and epidemiological studies supports the role of elevated luteinizing hormone in exacerbating age-related cognitive decline in both males and females. This review summarizes the recent developments involving luteinizing hormone in increasing the cognitive deficits and molecular pathology characteristic of Alzheimer's disease.

Humanin Does Not Protect Against STZ-Induced Spatial Memory Impairment

[Gly14]-Humanin (HNG) is a 24-amino acid peptide which was first identified in the brains of patients diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease (AD). In this region, some neurons were protected against cell damage occurring in this disease. Further studies suggested a neuroprotective role for humanin against Aβ and some other insults. Intraventricularly administered streptozotocin (STZ) disrupts insulin signaling pathway which leads to behavioral and biochemical changes resemble to early signs of AD; therefore, STZ model has been proposed as a model for sporadic Alzheimer's disease (sAD). Regarding the reported beneficial effects of humanin in AD, this study was aimed to investigate if this peptide prevents spatial memory and hippocampal PI3/Akt signaling impairment induced by centrally injected STZ. Adult male Sprague-Dawely rats weighting 250-300 g were used, and cannuls were implanted bilaterally into lateral ventricles. STZ was administered on days 1 and 3 (3 mg/kg), and humanin (0.01, 0.05, 0.1, and 1 nmol) or saline were injected from day 4 and continued till day 14. The animal's learning and memory capability was assessed on days 15-18 using Morris water maze. After complement of behavioral studies, the hippocampi were isolated, and the level of phosphorylated Akt (pAkt) was assessed through Western blot analysis. The results showed that STZ significantly impaired spatial memory, and humanin in a wide range of doses (0.01, 0.05, 0.1, and 1 nmol) failed to restore STZ-induced deficit. It was also revealed that humanin was not efficient in restoring pAkt disruption. It seems that humanin is not capable in restoring memory deterioration that resulted from insulin signaling disruption.

Protective effects of humanin on okadaic Acid-induced neurotoxicities in cultured cortical neurons

Neurofibrillary tangles are pathological hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease (AD), which are mostly composed of hyperphosphorylated tau and directly correlate with dementia in AD patients. Okadaic acid (OA), a toxin extracted from marine life, can specifically inhibit protein phosphatases (PPs), including PP1 and Protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A), resulting in tau hyperphosphorylation. Humanin (HN), a peptide of 24 amino acids, was initially reported to protect neurons from AD-related cell toxicities. The present study was designed to test if HN could attenuate OA-induced neurotoxicities, including neural insults, apoptosis, autophagy, and tau hyperphosphorylation. We found that administration of OA for 24 h induced neuronal insults, including lactate dehydrogenase released, decreased of cell viability and numbers of living cells, neuronal apoptosis, cells autophagy and tau protein hyperphosphorylation. Pretreatment of cells with HN produced significant protective effects against OA-induced neural insults, apoptosis, autophagy and tau hyperphosphorylation. We also found that OA treatment inhibited PP2A activity and HN pretreatment significantly attenuated the inhibitory effects of OA. This study demonstrated for the first time that HN protected cortical neurons against OA-induced neurotoxicities, including neuronal insults, apoptosis, autophagy, and tau hyperphosphorylation. The mechanisms underlying the protections of HN may involve restoration of PP2A activity.

SH3-binding protein 5 mediates the neuroprotective effect of the secreted bioactive peptide humanin by inhibiting c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase

Humanin is a secreted bioactive peptide that suppresses cell toxicity caused by a variety of insults. The neuroprotective effect of Humanin against Alzheimer disease (AD)-related death is mediated by the binding of Humanin to its heterotrimeric Humanin receptor composed of ciliary neurotrophic receptor α, WSX-1, and gp130, as well as the activation of intracellular signaling pathways including a JAK2 and STAT3 signaling axis. Despite the elucidation of the signaling pathways by which Humanin mediates its neuroprotection, the transcriptional targets of Humanin that behaves as effectors of Humanin remains undefined. In the present study, Humanin increased the mRNA and protein expression of SH3 domain-binding protein 5 (SH3BP5), which has been known to be a JNK interactor, in neuronal cells. Similar to Humanin treatment, overexpression of SH3BP5 inhibited AD-related neuronal death, while siRNA-mediated knockdown of endogenous SH3BP5 expression attenuated the neuroprotective effect of Humanin. These results indicate that SH3BP5 is a downstream effector of Humanin. Furthermore, biochemical analysis has revealed that SH3BP5 binds to JNK and directly inhibits JNK through its two putative mitogen-activated protein kinase interaction motifs (KIMs).

MOCA is an integrator of the neuronal death signals that are activated by familial Alzheimer's disease-related mutants of amyloid β precursor protein and presenilins

The death of cholinergic neurons in the cerebral cortex and certain subcortical regions is linked to irreversible dementia relevant to AD (Alzheimer's disease). Although multiple studies have shown that expression of a FAD (familial AD)-linked APP (amyloid β precursor protein) or a PS (presenilin) mutant, but not that of wild-type APP or PS, induced neuronal death by activating intracellular death signals, it remains to be addressed how these signals are interrelated and what the key molecule involved in this process is. In the present study, we show that the PS1-mediated (or possibly the PS2-mediated) signal is essential for the APP-mediated death in a γ-secretase-independent manner and vice versa. MOCA (modifier of cell adhesion), which was originally identified as being a PS- and Rac1-binding protein, is a common downstream constituent of these neuronal death signals. Detailed molecular analysis indicates that MOCA is a key molecule of the AD-relevant neuronal death signals that links the PS-mediated death signal with the APP-mediated death signal at a point between Rac1 [or Cdc42 (cell division cycle 42)] and ASK1 (apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1).

Humanin, a cytoprotective peptide, is expressed in carotid atherosclerotic [corrected] plaques in humans

OBJECTIVE

The mechanism of atherosclerotic plaque progression leading to instability, rupture, and ischemic manifestation involves oxidative stress and apoptosis. Humanin (HN) is a newly emerging endogenously expressed cytoprotective peptide. Our goal was to determine the presence and localization of HN in carotid atherosclerotic plaques.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Plaque specimens from 34 patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy were classified according to symptomatic history. Immunostaining combined with digital microscopy revealed greater expression of HN in the unstable plaques of symptomatic compared to asymptomatic patients (29.42±2.05 vs. 14.14±2.13% of plaque area, p<0.0001). These data were further confirmed by immunoblot (density of HN/β-actin standard symptomatic vs. asymptomatic 1.32±0.14 vs. 0.79±0.11, p<0.01). TUNEL staining revealed a higher proportion of apoptotic nuclei in the plaques of symptomatic patients compared to asymptomatic (68.25±3.61 vs. 33.46±4.46% of nuclei, p<0.01). Double immunofluorescence labeling revealed co-localization of HN with macrophages (both M1 and M2 polarization), smooth muscle cells, fibroblasts, and dendritic cells as well as with inflammatory markers MMP2 and MMP9.

CONCLUSIONS

The study demonstrates a higher expression of HN in unstable carotid plaques that is localized to multiple cell types within the plaque. These data support the involvement of HN in atherosclerosis, possibly as an endogenous response to the inflammatory and apoptotic processes within the atheromatous plaque.

Contributions of brain insulin resistance and deficiency in amyloid-related neurodegeneration in Alzheimer's disease

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common cause of dementia in North America. Growing evidence supports the concept that AD is fundamentally a metabolic disease that results in progressive impairment in the brain's capacity to utilize glucose and respond to insulin and insulin-like growth factor (IGF) stimulation. Moreover, the heterogeneous nature of AD is only partly explained by the brain's propensity to accumulate aberrantly processed, misfolded and aggregated oligomeric structural proteins, including amyloid-β peptides and hyperphosphorylated tau. Evidence suggests that other factors, including impaired energy metabolism, oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, insulin and IGF resistance, and insulin/IGF deficiency in the brain should be incorporated into an overarching hypothesis to develop more realistic diagnostic and therapeutic approaches to AD. In this review, the interrelationship between impaired insulin and IGF signalling and amyloid-β pathology is discussed along with potential therapeutic approaches. Impairments in brain insulin/IGF signalling lead to increased expression of amyloid-β precursor protein (AβPP) and accumulation of AβPP-Aβ. In addition, they promote oxidative stress and deficits in energy metabolism, leading to the activation of pro-AβPP-Aβ-mediated neurodegeneration cascades. Although brain insulin/IGF resistance and deficiency can be induced by primary or secondary disease processes, the soaring rates of peripheral insulin resistance associated with obesity, diabetes mellitus and metabolic syndrome quite likely play major roles in the current AD epidemic. Both clinical and experimental data have linked chronic hyperinsulinaemia to cognitive impairment and neurodegeneration with increased AβPP-Aβ accumulation/reduced clearance in the CNS. Correspondingly, both the restoration of insulin responsiveness and the use of insulin therapy can lead to improved cognitive performance, although with variable effects on brain AβPP-Aβ load. On the other hand, experimental evidence supports the concept that the toxic effects of AβPP-Aβ can promote insulin resistance. Together, these findings suggest that a positive feedback loop of progressive neurodegeneration can develop whereby insulin resistance drives AβPP-Aβ accumulation, and AβPP-Aβ fibril toxicity drives brain insulin resistance. This phenomenon could explain why measuring AβPP-Aβ levels in cerebrospinal fluid or imaging of the brain has proven to be inadequate as a stand-alone biomarker for diagnosing AD, and why the clinical trial results of anti-AβPP-Aβ monotherapy have been disappointing. Instead, the aggregate data suggest that brain insulin resistance and deficiency must also be therapeutically targeted to halt AD progression or reverse its natural course. The positive therapeutic effects of different treatments that address the role of brain insulin/IGF resistance and deficiency, including the use of intranasal insulin delivery, incretins and insulin sensitizer agents are discussed along with potential benefits of lifestyle changes to modify risk for developing mild cognitive impairment or AD. Altogether, the data strongly support the notion that we must shift toward the implementation of multimodal rather than unimodal diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for AD.

Therapeutic targets of brain insulin resistance in sporadic Alzheimer's disease

Growing evidence supports roles for brain insulin and insulin-like growth factor (IGF) resistance and metabolic dysfunction in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Whether the underlying problem stems from a primary disorder of central nervous system (CNS) neurons and glia, or secondary effects of systemic diseases such as obesity, Type 2 diabetes, or metabolic syndrome, the end-results include impaired glucose utilization, mitochondrial dysfunction, increased oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, and the propagation of cascades that result in the accumulation of neurotoxic misfolded, aggregated, and ubiquitinated fibrillar proteins. This article reviews the roles of impaired insulin and IGF signaling to AD-associated neuronal loss, synaptic disconnection, tau hyperphosphorylation, amyloid-beta accumulation, and impaired energy metabolism, and discusses therapeutic strategies and lifestyle approaches that could be used to prevent, delay the onset, or reduce the severity of AD. Finally, it is critical to recognize that AD is heterogeneous and has a clinical course that fully develops over a period of several decades. Therefore, early and multi-modal preventive and treatment approaches should be regarded as essential.

Humanin is expressed in human vascular walls and has a cytoprotective effect against oxidized LDL-induced oxidative stress

AIMS

Humanin (HN) is a 24-amino acid peptide that has been shown to have an anti-apoptotic function against neuronal cell death caused by Alzheimer's disease. Increased oxidative stress, one of the major factors contributing to this cell death, also plays an important role in the inflammatory process of atherosclerosis. The current study was designed to test the hypothesis that HN is expressed in the human vascular wall and may protect against oxidative stress.

METHODS AND RESULTS

HN expression in the vascular wall was detected by immunostaining in the endothelial cell layer of human internal mammary arteries (n = 5), atherosclerotic coronary arteries (n = 17), and sections of the greater saphenous vein (n = 3). HN mRNA was expressed in the human aortic endothelial cells (HAECs). Cytoprotective effects of HN against oxidative stress were tested in vitro in HAECs. Pre-treatment with 0.1 µM HN reduced oxidized LDL (Ox-LDL)-induced (i) formation of reactive oxygen species by 50%, (ii) apoptosis by ∼50% as determined by TUNEL staining, and (iii) formation of ceramide, a lipid second messenger involved in the apoptosis signalling cascade, by ∼20%.

CONCLUSION

The current study demonstrates for the first time the expression of HN in the endothelial cell layer of human blood vessels. Exogenous addition of HN to endothelial cell cultures was shown to be effective against Ox-LDL-induced apoptosis. These findings suggest that HN may play a role and may have a protective effect in early atherosclerosis in humans.

Neuronal cell death in Alzheimer's disease and a neuroprotective factor, humanin

Brain atrophy caused by neuronal loss is a prominent pathological feature of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Amyloid beta (Abeta), the major component of senile plaques, is considered to play a central role in neuronal cell death. In addition to removal of the toxic Abeta, direct suppression of neuronal loss is an essential part of AD treatment; however, no such neuroprotective therapies have been developed. Excess amount of Abeta evokes multiple cytotoxic mechanisms, involving increase of the intracellular Ca(2+) level, oxidative stress, and receptor-mediated activation of cell-death cascades. Such diversity in cytotoxic mechanisms induced by Abeta clearly indicates a complex nature of the AD-related neuronal cell death. We have identified a 24-residue peptide, Humanin (HN), which suppresses in vitro neuronal cell death caused by all AD-related insults, including Abeta, so far tested. The anti-AD effect of HN has been further confirmed in vivo using mice with Abeta-induced amnesia. Altogether, such potent neuroprotective activity of HN against AD-relevant cytotoxicity both in vitro and in vivo suggests the potential clinical applications of HN in novel AD therapies aimed at controlling neuronal death.

[Gly(14)]-humanin rescues long-term potentiation from amyloid beta protein-induced impairment in the rat hippocampal CA1 region in vivo

The novel neuroprotective action of Humanin (HN), especially its derivative [Gly(14)]-humanin (HNG), against Alzheimer's disease (AD)-related insults has been reported. However, it is still short of electrophysiological evidence for the protection of HN on synaptic plasticity, and the molecular mechanisms that underlie the neuroprotective function of HN remain largely unknown. The present study examined the effects of intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) injection of HNG on amyloid beta (Abeta), a main constituent of senile plaques in the AD brain, induced suppression of long-term potentiation (LTP) in the rat hippocampal CA1 region in vivo and investigated the possible mechanism of HNG in LTP protection. We found that application of Abeta fragments 25-35 (Abeta25-35) and 31-35 (Abeta31-35) significantly inhibited high frequency stimulation-induced LTP, while HNG effectively prevented the suppression of LTP induced by Abeta fragments in a dose-dependent manner. After pretreatment with Genistein, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor, the protective action of HNG on LTP was nearly completely abolished. Therefore, the present study demonstrated for the first time that HNG could protect against the neurotoxic Abeta-induced hippocampal LTP impairment and the tyrosine kinase pathway was involved in the neuroprotective action of HNG, suggesting that HNG might be one of the promising candidates for the treatment of AD in the future.

The multiple T-maze in vivo testing of the neuroprotective effect of humanin analogues

Humanin (HN) and its analogues have been shown to protect cells against death induced by various Alzheimer's disease (AD) genes and amyloid-beta-peptides in vitro; the analogues [Gly(14)]-HN and colivelin have also been shown to be potent in reversing learning and memory impairment induced by scopolamine or quinuclidinyl benzilate (QNB) in mice or rats in vivo using the Y-maze or multiple T-maze tests. This paper describes the activity of new peptides of the HN family, after i.p. administration, on QNB-induced impairment of spatial memory in the multiple T-maze test in rats. The following peptides have been studied: HN analogues truncated either on the C- or N-terminus, or analogues having a tert-Leu in place of Leu in the central part of the molecule, the active HN core PAGASRLLLLTGEIDLP (RG-PAGA) and its analogues having three or five leucines instead of four, and finally the recently described hybrid peptide colivelin (i.e. a peptide having the activity-dependent neurotrophic factor SALLRSIPA attached to the N-terminus of the active RG-PAGA) and its des-Leu- and plus-Leu-analogues. While the truncated analogues and most of the tert-Leu containing analogues were devoid of activity, the analogues of the RG-PAGA were active, i.e. they reversed the impairment of spatial memory irrespective of the number of Leu present in their sequence. The highest activity was shown by colivelin and its des-Leu-analogue. These results demonstrate the potential of HN analogues in the modulation of the cholinergic system, which plays an important role in the cognitive deficits associated with AD and other neurodegenerative diseases.

Alzheimer's disease is type 3 diabetes-evidence reviewed

Alzheimer's disease (AD) has characteristic histopathological, molecular, and biochemical abnormalities, including cell loss; abundant neurofibrillary tangles; dystrophic neurites; amyloid precursor protein, amyloid-beta (APP-Abeta) deposits; increased activation of prodeath genes and signaling pathways; impaired energy metabolism; mitochondrial dysfunction; chronic oxidative stress; and DNA damage. Gaining a better understanding of AD pathogenesis will require a framework that mechanistically interlinks all these phenomena. Currently, there is a rapid growth in the literature pointing toward insulin deficiency and insulin resistance as mediators of AD-type neurodegeneration, but this surge of new information is riddled with conflicting and unresolved concepts regarding the potential contributions of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), metabolic syndrome, and obesity to AD pathogenesis. Herein, we review the evidence that (1) T2DM causes brain insulin resistance, oxidative stress, and cognitive impairment, but its aggregate effects fall far short of mimicking AD; (2) extensive disturbances in brain insulin and insulin-like growth factor (IGF) signaling mechanisms represent early and progressive abnormalities and could account for the majority of molecular, biochemical, and histopathological lesions in AD; (3) experimental brain diabetes produced by intracerebral administration of streptozotocin shares many features with AD, including cognitive impairment and disturbances in acetylcholine homeostasis; and (4) experimental brain diabetes is treatable with insulin sensitizer agents, i.e., drugs currently used to treat T2DM. We conclude that the term "type 3 diabetes" accurately reflects the fact that AD represents a form of diabetes that selectively involves the brain and has molecular and biochemical features that overlap with both type 1 diabetes mellitus and T2DM.

Bioactive peptides control receptor for advanced glycated end product-induced elevation of kidney insulin receptor substrate 2 and reduce albuminuria in diabetic mice

BACKGROUND/AIMS

Sixteen-week-old db/db mice exhibit significantly elevated blood glucose and albuminuria. Kidney mesangial cell matrix expansion and collagen IV synthesis correlate with disease progression, but the underlying mechanism is unclear.

METHODS

Adaptive biochemical datasets were generated in cultured 293 kidney cells and in db/db mice.

RESULTS

In animals receiving daily subcutaneous bolus injections (weeks 8-13) of 20 microg/day humanin or 40 microg/day protein kinase C (NPKC) (a PKC-beta2 inhibitor peptide), there was a significant reduction in albuminuria, insulin receptor substrate 2 (IRS-2) and phospho-Akt (Ser473) levels in kidney tissue extracts (p < 0.05 in all cases). Elevated IRS-2 (not IRS-1), altered Akt1 and selective phosphorylation of p-Akt/Ser473 and p-IRS-1/Ser307 (but not p-Akt/Thr308 or p-IRS-2/Ser731) are correlates of the receptor for advanced glycated end product activation and are linked to albuminuria in vivo, whereas in P38 peptide-treated animals, collagen IV synthesis can be uncoupled from albuminuria altogether.

CONCLUSION

Taken together, our results suggest that elevated IRS-2 and altered Akt phosphorylation may be more closely tied to the cause of diabetic kidney disease in db/db mice than mesangial matrix expansion per se, though both may originate from elevated circulatory glucose, and mesangial matrix expansion may independently exacerbate kidney dysfunction.

Isoquinoline-1,3,4-trione and its derivatives attenuate ?-amyloid-induced apoptosis of neuronal cells

Caspase-3 is a programmed cell death protease involved in neuronal apoptosis during physiological development and under pathological conditions. It is a promising therapeutic target for treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. We reported previously that isoquinoline-1,3,4-trione and its derivatives inhibit caspase-3. In this report, we validate isoquinoline-1,3,4-trione and its derivatives as potent, selective, irreversible, slow-binding and pan-caspase inhibitors. Furthermore, we show that these inhibitors attenuated apoptosis induced by beta-amyloid(25-35) in PC12 cells and primary neuronal cells.

Solution structure of Ser14Gly-humanin, a potent rescue factor against neuronal cell death in Alzheimer's disease

The NMR solution study of Ser14Gly-humanin (S14G-HN), a 1000-fold more potent derivative of humanin (HN), is reported. HN is 24-residue peptide that selectively suppresses neuronal cell death caused by Alzheimer's disease (AD)-specific insults and offers hope for the development of a cure against AD. In aqueous solution the NMR data show that S14G-HN is a flexible peptide with turn-like structures in its conformational ensemble distributed over an extensive part of its sequence from Pro3 to Glu15. In the more lipophilic environment of 30% TFE, an alpha-helical structure spanning residues Phe6 to Thr13 is identified. Comparison of these findings to the NMR structure of the parent HN and to existing structure-function relationship literature data outlines the important for activity structural features for this class of neuroprotective peptides, and brings forth flexibility as an important characteristic that may facilitate interactions with functional counterparts of the neuroprotection pathway.

Expression of a familial Alzheimer's disease-linked presenilin-1 variant enhances perforant pathway lesion-induced neuronal loss in the entorhinal cortex

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is characterized by neuronal loss in the hippocampus and entorhinal cortex that is manifested by progressive memory impairment and cognitive decline. Autosomal-dominant, familial forms of AD (FAD) are caused by mutations in genes encoding amyloid precursor protein, presenilin-1 (PS1), and presenilin 2. Although it is established that expression of mutant PS1 variants leads to increased production of highly fibrillogenic amyloidbeta42 (Abeta42) peptides that deposit in the brains of patients with AD, the mechanism(s) by which Abeta deposition and expression of mutant genes induce lamina- and region-specific vulnerability of neuronal populations is not known. We have examined the hypothesis that expression of transgene-encoded FAD-linked mutant PS1 variants in entorhinal cortex neurons exacerbates the vulnerability of these cells to lesion-induced neuronal loss. To test this notion, we transected the perforant pathway (PP) of transgenic mice harboring either wild-type human PS1 (PS1HWT) or the FAD-linked mutant PS1DeltaE9 variant and examined neuronal survival in layer II of the entorhinal cortex (ECL2). Remarkably, PP transections lead to marked reductions in the numbers of ECL2 neurons in the ECL2 of mice expressing mutant PS1, compared with ECL2 neurons in PP-lesioned PS1HWT mice. Finally, and in contrast to studies in nontransgenic mice and in mice expressing PS1HWT, ECL2 neurons that express mutant PS1 and the calcium binding protein calbindin-D28k in ECL2 are also susceptible to lesion-induced neuronal loss. We conclude that expression of FAD-linked mutant PS1 variants enhances the vulnerability of neurons in the entorhinal cortex to PP lesion-induced cytotoxicity.

Development of a femtomolar-acting humanin derivative named colivelin by attaching activity-dependent neurotrophic factor to its N terminus: characterization of colivelin-mediated neuroprotection against Alzheimer's disease-relevant insults in vitro and in vivo

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common cause of dementia. Humanin (HN) is a short bioactive peptide abolishing neuronal cell death induced by various familial AD (FAD)-causative genes and amyloid-beta (Abeta) in vitro. It has been shown that HN suppresses memory impairment of mice induced by intracerebroventricular administration of Abeta. To potentiate the neuroprotective effect of HN, we synthesized a hybrid peptide named Colivelin composed of activity-dependent neurotrophic factor (ADNF) C-terminally fused to AGA-(C8R)HNG17, a potent HN derivative. Colivelin completely suppresses death induced by overexpressed FAD-causative genes and Abeta1-43 at a concentration of 100 fM, whereas AGA-(C8R)HNG17 does so at a concentration of 10 pM. Colivelin-induced neuroprotection has been confirmed to occur via two neuroprotective pathways: one mediated by Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase IV, triggered by ADNF, and one mediated by signal transducer and activator of transcription 3, triggered by HN. In vivo animal studies have further indicated that intracerebroventricular administration of Colivelin not only completely suppresses impairment in spatial working memory induced by repetitive intracerebroventricular injection of Abeta25-35 or Abeta1-42, but also it antagonizes neuronal loss in the CA1 region of hippocampus induced by hippocampal injection of Abeta1-42. In addition, intraperitoneally administered Colivelin suppresses memory impairment caused by a muscarinic acetylcholine receptor antagonist, 3-quinuclidinyl benzilate, indicating that a substantial portion of intraperitoneally administered Colivelin passes through the blood-brain barrier and suppresses functional memory deficit. Thus, Colivelin might serve as a novel drug candidate for treatment of AD.

Neuroprotective strategies in Alzheimer's disease

In addition to strategies designed to decrease amyloid beta (A beta) levels, it is likely that successful Alzheimer's disease (AD) therapeutic regimens will require the concomitant application of neuroprotective agents. Elucidation of pathophysiological processes occurring in AD and identification of the molecular targets mediating these processes point to potential high-yield neuroprotective strategies. Candidate neuroprotective agents include those that interact specifically with neuronal targets to inhibit deleterious intraneuronal mechanisms triggered by A beta and other toxic stimuli. Strategies include creating small molecules that block A beta interactions with cell surface and intracellular targets, down-regulate stress kinase signaling cascades, block activation of caspases and expression of pro-apoptotic proteins, and inhibit enzymes mediating excessive tau protein phosphorylation. Additional potential neuroprotective compounds include those that counteract loss of cholinergic function, promote the trophic state and plasticity of neurons, inhibit accumulation of reactive oxygen species, and block excitotoxicity. Certain categories of compounds, such as neurotrophins or neurotrophin small molecule mimetics, have the potential to alter neuronal signaling patterns such that several of these target actions might be achieved by a single agent.

Solution structure of humanin, a peptide against Alzheimer's disease-related neurotoxicity

Humanin is a newly identified 24-residue peptide that suppresses neuronal cell death caused by a wide spectrum of familial Alzheimer's disease genes and the beta-amyloid peptide. In this study, NMR and circular dichroism studies of synthetic humanin in aqueous and 30% 2,2,2-trifluoroethanol (TFE) solutions are reported. In aqueous solution, humanin exists predominantly in an unstructured conformation in equilibrium with turn-like structures involving residues Gly5 to Leu10 and Glu15 to Leu18, providing indication of nascent helix. In the less polar environment of 30% TFE, humanin readily adopts helical structure with long-range order spanning residues Gly5 to Leu18. Comparative 3D modeling studies and topology predictions are in qualitative agreement with the experimental findings in both environments. Our studies reveal a flexible peptide in aqueous environment, which is free to interact with possible receptors that mediate its action, but may also acquire a helical conformation necessary for specific interactions and/or passage through membranes.

Humanin detected in skeletal muscles of MELAS patients: a possible new therapeutic agent

Humanin (HN) was originally identified as an endogenous peptide that protects neuronal cells from apoptosis induced by various types of Alzheimer's disease-related insults. We have previously indicated that HN increases cellular ATP levels and speculated that this peptide may rescue energy-deficient cells in mitochondrial disorders. Here, we report, for the first time, increased HN expression in skeletal muscles from patients with mitochondrial encephalomyopathy with lactic acidosis and stroke-like episodes (MELAS). HN was strongly positive in all ragged-red fibers (RRFs) and some non-RRFs, and most of them were type 1 fibers generally requiring higher energy than type 2 fibers. HN in these fibers was localized in mitochondria. HN expression was also increased in small arteries that strongly reacted for succinate dehydrogenase. Our experiments on muscular TE671 cells indicated the possibility that synthesized HN increases cellular ATP levels by directly acting on mitochondria. From these in vivo and in vitro findings, we propose that HN expression might be induced in response to the energy crisis within affected fibers and vessels in MELAS muscles and further be a possible therapeutic candidate for MELAS.

Humanin Binds and Nullifies Bid Activity by Blocking Its Activation of Bax and Bak

Recently, we discovered that Humanin (HN), a small endogenous peptide of 24 amino acids, binds to and inhibits the proapoptotic protein Bax. We show here that HN also interacts with the BH3-only Bcl-2/Bax family protein, Bid, as well as a truncated form of Bid (tBid) associated with protease-mediated activation of this proapoptotic protein. Synthetic HN peptide binds purified Bid and tBid in vitro and blocks tBid-induced release of cytochrome c and SMAC from isolated mitochondria, whereas mutant peptides that fail to bind Bid or tBid lack this activity. Moreover, HN peptide also retained protective activity on bax-/-mitochondria, indicating that HN can block tBid-induced release of apoptogenic proteins from these organelles in a Bax-independent manner. HN peptide inhibits tBid-induced oligomerization of Bax and Bak in mitochondrial membranes, as shown by experiments with chemical cross-linkers or gel filtration. Gene transfection experiments showed that HN (but not an inactive mutant of HN) also protects intact cells from apoptosis induced by overexpression of tBid. We conclude that Bid represents an additional cellular target of HN, and we propose that HN-mediated suppression of Bid contributes to the antiapoptotic activity of this endogenous peptide.

Effect of humanin on decreased ATP levels of human lymphocytes harboring A3243G mutant mitochondrial DNA

Humanin (HN) was originally identified as an endogenous peptide that protects neuronal cells from apoptosis by mutant Alzheimer's disease genes. This 24-residue peptide has been recently shown to suppress apoptosis by interfering with activation of Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax) in cytosol. In the present study, we showed that HN increases ATP levels in human lymphocytes, muscular TE671 cells, and neural SKN-MC cells, and protects these cells from serum deprivation-induced apoptosis. The suppressed apoptotic death of serum-deprived cells would be explained by the anti-Bax effect of HN; however, HN also increased ATP levels of serum-supplemented cells (non-apoptotic cells), in which Bax is likely to be inactive. This result suggests the presence of a certain mechanism independent of Bax inactivation to increase ATP levels of cells under non-apoptotic condition. By treatment with HN, the ATP levels of lymphocytes from patients with mitochondrial encephalomyopathy with lactic acidosis and stroke-like episodes (MELAS) associated with A3243G mutant mtDNA were increased as well, suggesting that HN is able to prevent cells in MELAS from falling into ATP deficiency. Our quantitative PCR findings indicated that the HN-induced increase in ATP may not be a consequence of mitochondrial proliferation, because HN rather suppressed mtDNA replication. This suppression may be important in the treatment of affected cells in MELAS, since the mutant mtDNAs that increase during compensatory mtDNA replication for ATP deficiency cause excessive formation of reactive oxygen species, leading to further energy crisis. We thus propose that HN, which increases cellular ATP levels without inducing mtDNA replication, may be suited for the treatment of MELAS.

Humanin: after the discovery

Humanin (HN) is a novel neuroprotective factor that consists of 24 amino acid residues. HN suppresses neuronal cell death caused by Alzheimer's disease (AD)-specific insults, including both amyloid-beta (betaAbeta) peptides and familial AD-causative genes. Cerebrovascular smooth muscle cells are also protected from Abeta toxicity by HN, suggesting that HN affects both neuronal and non-neuronal cells when they are exposed to AD-related cytotoxicity. HN peptide exerts a neuroprotective effect through the cell surface via putative receptor(s). HN activates a cellular signaling cascade that intervenes (at least) in activation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase. The highly selective effect of HN on AD-relevant cell death indicates that HN is promising for AD therapy. Additionally, a recent study showed that intracellularly overexpressed HN suppressed mitochondria-mediated apoptosis by inhibiting Bax activity.

Cytoprotective peptide humanin binds and inhibits proapoptotic Bcl-2/Bax family protein BimEL

Humanin (HN) is a recently identified endogenous peptide that protects cells against cytotoxicity induced by various stimuli. Recently, we showed that HN binds to and inhibits Bax, a proapoptotic Bcl-2 family protein, suggesting a mechanism for HN action. In this study, we identified Bim, a Bcl-2 homology 3-only member of the Bcl-2/Bax family, as an additional HN target protein. Using in vitro protein binding, immunoprecipitation, and coimmunolocalization assays, we demonstrated that HN binds directly to the extra long isoform of Bim (BimEL) but not the long (BimL) or short (BimS) isoforms. HN also protects cells against apoptosis induced by BimEL but not BimL and BimS in gene transfection studies. In contrast, mutants of HN which failed to bind BimEL failed to protect from BimEL-induced cell death. Moreover, HN inhibited BimEL-induced release of SMAC and cytochrome c from mitochondria isolated from bax-/-cells, indicating that HN can suppress BimEL independently of its effect on Bax. Finally, we demonstrate that HN prevents BimEL-induced oligomerization of Bak using isolated mitochondria. Taken together, our results indicate that the inhibition of BimEL may contribute to the antiapoptotic properties of the HN peptide.

Construction of a eukaryotic expression plasmid of Humanin

OBJECTIVE

To construct a eukaryotic expression plasmid pcDNA3.1(-)-Humanin.

METHODS

The recombinant plasmid pGEMEX-1-Humanin was digested with restriction endonucleases BamH I and Hind III and the Humanin gene fragments, about 100 bp length, were obtained. Then the Humanin gene fragments were inserted into eukaryotic expression vector pcDNA3.1(-) and the recombinant plasmids pcDNA3.1(-)-Humanin were identified by sequencing.

RESULTS

Recombinant plasmid DNA successfully produced a band which had the same size as that of the Humanin positive control. The sequence of recombinant plasmids accorded with the Humnain gene sequence.

CONCLUSIONS

A eukaryotic expression plasmid of Humanin was successfully constructed.

A humanin derivative, S14G-HN, prevents amyloid-?-induced memory impairment in mice

Humanin (HN) is a 24-amino acid peptide that protects neuronal cells from death caused by Alzheimer's disease (AD)-related genes and amyloid-beta (Abeta). Multiple studies have revealed its biochemical and neuroprotective characteristics in vitro; however, little has been known regarding whether HN is effective in vivo in AD model systems. We examined the effect of S14G-HN, a 1,000-fold more potent derivative of HN in vitro, on amnesia induced by Abeta25-35 in mice. The Y-maze test revealed that at least 50 pmol of S14G-HN by intracerebroventricular injection prevented Abeta-induced impairment of short-term/spatial working memory; however, 5 nmol of S14A-HN, a neuroprotection-defective mutant in vitro, did not prevent Abeta-induced amnesia. These results are in agreement with the structure-function correlation shown previously in vitro. In the water-finding task, S14G-HN prevented prolongation of finding latency (the time to find water) observed in Abeta-amnesic mice, indicating that S14G-HN also blocked Abeta-induced impairment of latent learning. In accordance with these observations, immunohistochemical analysis showed that S14G-HN sustained the number of cholinergic neurons in the basal forebrain and the striata nearly to the normal level. Furthermore, genistein, a specific inhibitor of tyrosine kinases, blocked recovery from scopolamine-induced amnesia by S14G-HN, suggesting that certain tyrosine kinase(s) are involved in the inhibitory function of S14G-HN in vivo. Taking these findings together, we conclude that S14G-HN has rescue activity against memory impairment caused by AD-related insults in vivo by activating the same intracellular neuroprotective machinery as elucidated previously in vitro.

Pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide inhibits caspase-3 activity but does not protect cerebellar granule neurons against β-amyloid (25–35)-induced apoptosis

The beta-amyloid (Abeta) peptide Abeta25-35 provokes apoptosis of cerebellar granule cells through activation of caspase-3 while the neuropeptide pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) promotes granule cell survival by inhibiting caspase-3 activation through the intrinsic apoptotic pathway. The aim of the present study was to determine whether PACAP could prevent Abeta25-35 neurotoxicity by inhibiting caspase-3 activity. A 24-h exposure of cultured cerebellar granule cells to Abeta25-35 induced shrinkage of cell bodies, neurite retraction and alteration of mitochondrial activity. Administration of graded concentrations (10-80 microM) of Abeta25-35 induced a dose-related decrease of the number of living cells, and the neurotoxic effect was highly significant after a 24-h exposure to 80 microM Abeta25-35. Exposure of cerebellar granule cells to Abeta25-35 markedly enhanced caspase-3 but not caspase-9 activity. Co-incubation with 1 microM PACAP significantly reduced Abeta25-35-evoked caspase-3 activation. In contrast, PACAP did not prevent the deleterious effects of Abeta25-35 on mitochondrial potential and granule cell survival. Taken together, these data suggest that caspase-3 activation is not the main pathway activated by Abeta25-35 that leads to granule cell death. The results also demonstrate that PACAP cannot be considered as a potent neuroprotective factor against Abeta25-35-induced apoptosis in cerebellar granule neurons.

Unravelling the role of Humanin

Humanin (HN), a recently identified neuroprotective factor against Alzheimer's disease-related insults, has been reported to function as an anti cell-death factor through multiple mechanisms. One mechanism, revealed in a glioblastoma cell line, involves the apoptosis-inducing protein Bax. This, in addition to the fact that HN is produced in certain normal tissues, such as testis, implies a potential role of HN in oncogenesis. A second mechanism, in neuronal cells, is via a putative cell-surface receptor. It is through this mechanism that HN exhibits its neuroprotective activity.

Humanin rescues cortical neurons from prion-peptide-induced apoptosis

We recently demonstrated that a soluble oligomeric prion peptide, the putative 118-135 transmembrane domain of prion protein (PrP), exhibited membrane fusogenic properties and induced apoptotic cell death both in vitro and in vivo. A recently discovered rescue factor humanin (HN) was shown to protect neuronal cells from various insults involved in human neurodegenerative diseases. We thus addressed the question of whether HN might modulate the apoptosis induced by the soluble PrP(118-135) fragment. We found that the incubation of rat cortical neurons with 10 microM HN prevented soluble PrP(118-135) fragment-induced cell death concomitantly with inhibition of apoptotic events. An HN variant, termed HNG, exhibited a 500-fold increase in the protective activity in cortical neurons, whereas the HNA variant displayed no protective effect. The effects of HN and HNG peptides did not require a preincubation with the PrP(118-135) fragment, strongly suggesting that these peptides rescue cells independently of a direct interaction with the prion peptide. By contrast, and in agreement with a previous study, HN had no effect on the fibrillar PrP(106-126) peptide-induced cell death. This protective effect for neurons from PrP(118-135)-induced cell death strongly suggests that PrP(118-135) and PrP(106-126) peptides may trigger different pathways leading to neuronal apoptosis.

Humanin antagonists: mutants that interfere with dimerization inhibit neuroprotection by Humanin

The 24-residue peptide Humanin (HN) protects neuronal cells from insults of various Alzheimer's disease (AD) genes and Abeta by forming a homodimer. We have previously shown that P3A, S7A, C8A, L9A, L12A, T13A, S14A and P19A mutations nullify the neuroprotective function of HN [Yamagishi, Y., Hashimoto, Y., Niikura, T. & Nishimoto, I. (2003) Peptides, 24, 585-595]. Here we examined whether any of these 'null' mutants could function as dominant-negative mutants. Homodimerization-defective mutants, P3A-, L12A-, S14A- and P19A-HN, specifically blocked neuroprotection by HN, but not by activity-dependent neurotrophic factor. Furthermore, insertion of S7A, the mutation that blocks the homodimerization of HN, but not insertion of G5A abolished the antagonizing function of L12A-HN. While L12A-HN and G5A/L12A-HN actually inhibited HN homodimerization, S7A/L12A-HN had no effect. These data indicate that P3A-, L12A-, S14A- and P19A-HN function as HN antagonists by forming an inactive dimer with HN. This study provides a novel insight into the understanding of the in vivo function of HN, as well as into the development of clinically applicable HN neutralizers.

Amino- and carboxyl-terminal mutants of presenilin 1 cause neuronal cell death through distinct toxic mechanisms: Study of 27 different presenilin 1 mutants

Presenilin (PS)1 and its mutants, which consist of the N-terminal and C-terminal fragments, cause certain familial forms of Alzheimer's disease (FAD). Our earlier studies found that FAD-linked M146L-PS1 causes neuronal cell death through nitrogen oxide synthase (NOS) and that FAD-linked N141I-PS2, another member of the PS family, causes neuronal cell death through NADPH oxidase. In this study, we examined 27 different FAD-linked mutants of PS1, and found that PS1 mutants with mutations in the N-terminal fragment caused NOS inhibitor (NOSI)-sensitive neuronal cell death; in contrast, the PS1 mutants with mutations in the C-terminal fragment caused NOSI-resistant neuronal cell death. The former toxicity was resistant to the specific NADPH oxidase inhibitor apocynin and was inhibited by Humanin (HN), a newly identified neuroprotective factor against Alzheimer's disease (AD)-relevant insults, but not by insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I). In contrast, the latter toxicity was sensitive to apocynin and inhibited by both IGF-I and HN. This study indicates for the first time that N- and C-terminal fragment PS1 mutants can generate distinct neurotoxic signals, which will provide an important clue to the understanding of the entire array of neurotoxic signals generated by FAD-causative mutations of PS1.

Amyloid beta protein precursor is phosphorylated by JNK-1 independent of, yet facilitated by, JNK-interacting protein (JIP)-1

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is genetically linked to the processing of amyloid beta protein precursor (AbetaPP). Aside from being the precursor of the amyloid beta (Abeta) found in plaques in the brains of patients with AD, little is known regarding the functional role of AbetaPP. We have recently reported biochemical evidence linking AbetaPP to the JNK signaling cascade by finding that JNK-interacting protein-1 (JIP-1) binds AbetaPP. In order to study the functional implications of this interaction we assayed the carboxyl-terminal of AbetaPP for phosphorylation. We found that the threonine 668 within the AbetaPP intracellular domain (AID or elsewhere AICD) is indeed phosphorylated by JNK1. We surprisingly found that although JIP-1 can facilitate this phosphorylation, it is not required for this process. We also found that JIP-1 only facilitated phosphorylation of AbetaPP but not of the two other family members APLP1 (amyloid precursor-like protein 1) and APLP2. Understanding the connection between AbetaPP phosphorylation and the JNK signaling pathway, which mediates cell response to stress may have important implications in understanding the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease.

Interaction between the Alzheimer's survival peptide humanin and insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 3 regulates cell survival and apoptosis

Insulin-like growth factor-binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3) regulates IGF bioactivity and also independently modulates cell growth and survival. By using a yeast two-hybrid screen to identify IGFBP-3-interacting proteins, we cloned humanin (HN) as an IGFBP-3-binding partner. HN is a 24-aa peptide that has been shown to specifically inhibit neuronal cell death induced by familial Alzheimer's disease mutant genes and amyloid-beta (Abeta). The physical interaction of HN with IGFBP-3 was determined to be of high affinity and specificity and was confirmed by yeast mating, displaceable pull-down experiments with (His)-6-tagged HN, and ligand blot experiments. Co-immunoprecipitation of IGFBP-3 and HN from mouse testes confirmed the interaction in vivo. In cross-linking experiments, HN bound IGFBP-3 but did not compete with IGF-I-IGFBP-3 binding; competitive ligand dot blot experiments revealed the 18-aa heparin-binding domain of IGFBP-3 as the binding site for HN. Alanine scanning determined that F6A-HN mutant does not bind IGFBP-3. HN but not F6A-HN inhibited IGFBP-3-induced apoptosis in human glioblastoma-A172. In contrast, HN did not suppress IGFBP-3 response in SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma and mouse cortical primary neurons. In primary neurons, IGFBP-3 markedly potentiated HN rescue ability from Abeta1-43 toxicity. In summary, we have identified an interaction between the survival peptide HN and IGFBP-3 that is pleiotrophic in nature and is capable of both synergistic and antagonistic interaction. This interaction may prove to be important in neurological disease processes and could provide important targets for drug development.

Characterization of the toxic mechanism triggered by Alzheimer's amyloid-beta peptides via p75 neurotrophin receptor in neuronal hybrid cells

Neuronal pathology of the brain with Alzheimer's disease (AD) is characterized by numerous depositions of amyloid-beta peptides (Abeta). Abeta binding to the 75-kDa neurotrophin receptor (p75NTR) causes neuronal cell death. Here we report that Abeta causes cell death in neuronal hybrid cells transfected with p75NTR, but not in nontransfected cells, and that p75NTR(L401K) cannot mediate Abeta neurotoxicity. We analyzed the cytotoxic pathway by transfecting pertussis toxin (PTX)-resistant G protein alpha subunits in the presence of PTX and identified that Galpha(o), but not Galpha(i), proteins are involved in p75NTR-mediated Abeta neurotoxicity. Further investigation suggested that Abeta neurotoxicity via p75NTR involved JNK, NADPH oxidase, and caspases-9/3 and was inhibited by activity-dependent neurotrophic factor, insulin-like growth factor-I, basic fibroblast growth factor, and Humanin, as observed in primary neuron cultures. Understanding the Abeta neurotoxic mechanism would contribute significantly to the development of anti-AD therapies.

The cytoplasmic domain of Alzheimer's amyloid-beta protein precursor causes sustained apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1/c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase-mediated neurotoxic signal via dimerization

The biological function of full-length amyloid-beta protein precursor (AbetaPP), the precursor of Abeta, is not fully understood. Multiple laboratories have reported that antibody binding to cell surface AbetaPP causes neuronal cell death. Here we examined whether induced dimerization of the cytoplasmic domain of AbetaPP (AbetaPPCD) triggers neuronal cell death. In neurohybrid cells expressing fusion constructs of the epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor with AbetaPPCD (EGFR/AbetaPP hybrids), EGF drastically enhanced neuronal cell death in a manner sensitive to acetyl-l-aspartyl-l-glutamyl-l-valyl-l-aspartyl-aldehyde (Ac-DEVD-CHO; DEVD), GSH-ethyl ester (GEE), and pertussis toxin (PTX). Dominant-negative apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1 (ASK1) blocked this neuronal cell death, but not alpha-synuclein-induced cell death. Constitutively active ASK1 (caASK1) caused DEVD/GEE-sensitive cell death in a manner resistant to PTX and sensitive to Humanin, which also suppressed neuronal cell death by EGFR/AbetaPP hybrid. ASK1 formed a complex with AbetaPPCD via JIP-1b, the c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK)-interacting protein. EGFR/AbetaPP hybrid-induced and caASK1-induced neuronal cell deaths were specifically blocked by SP600125 (anthra[1,9-cd]pyrazol-6(2H)-one), a specific JNK inhibitor. Combined with our earlier study, these data indicate that dimerization of AbetaPPCD triggers ASK1/JNK-mediated neuronal cell death. We also noticed a potential role of ASK1/JNK in sustaining the activity of this mechanism after initial activation by AbetaPP, which allows for the achievement of cell death by short-term anti-AbetaPP antibody treatment. Understanding the function of AbetaPPCD and its downstream pathway should lead to effective anti-Alzheimer's disease therapeutics.