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Sun Y, Islam S, Michikawa M, Zou K. Presenilin: A Multi-Functional Molecule in the Pathogenesis of Alzheimer's Disease and Other Neurodegenerative Diseases. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:1757. [PMID: 38339035 PMCID: PMC10855926 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25031757] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2023] [Revised: 01/24/2024] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Presenilin, a transmembrane protein primarily known for its role in Alzheimer's disease (AD) as part of the γ-secretase complex, has garnered increased attention due to its multifaceted functions in various cellular processes. Recent investigations have unveiled a plethora of functions beyond its amyloidogenic role. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of presenilin's diverse roles in AD and other neurodegenerative disorders. It includes a summary of well-known substrates of presenilin, such as its involvement in amyloid precursor protein (APP) processing and Notch signaling, along with other functions. Additionally, it highlights newly discovered functions, such as trafficking function, regulation of ferritin expression, apolipoprotein E (ApoE) secretion, the interaction of ApoE and presenilin, and the Aβ42-to-Aβ40-converting activity of ACE. This updated perspective underscores the evolving landscape of presenilin research, emphasizing its broader impact beyond established pathways. The incorporation of these novel findings accentuates the dynamic nature of presenilin's involvement in cellular processes, further advancing our comprehension of its multifaceted roles in neurodegenerative disorders. By synthesizing evidence from a range of studies, this review sheds light on the intricate web of presenilin functions and their implications in health and disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Sun
- Department of Biochemistry, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya City University, Nagoya 467-8601, Japan; (Y.S.); (S.I.)
| | - Sadequl Islam
- Department of Biochemistry, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya City University, Nagoya 467-8601, Japan; (Y.S.); (S.I.)
| | - Makoto Michikawa
- Department of Geriatric Medicine, School of Life Dentistry at Niigata, The Nippon Dental University, Niigata 951-8580, Japan;
| | - Kun Zou
- Department of Biochemistry, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya City University, Nagoya 467-8601, Japan; (Y.S.); (S.I.)
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Baier A, Szyszka R. CK2 and protein kinases of the CK1 superfamily as targets for neurodegenerative disorders. Front Mol Biosci 2022; 9:916063. [PMID: 36275622 PMCID: PMC9582958 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2022.916063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2022] [Accepted: 08/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Casein kinases are involved in a variety of signaling pathways, and also in inflammation, cancer, and neurological diseases. Therefore, they are regarded as potential therapeutic targets for drug design. Recent studies have highlighted the importance of the casein kinase 1 superfamily as well as protein kinase CK2 in the development of several neurodegenerative pathologies, such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. CK1 kinases and their closely related tau tubulin kinases as well as CK2 are found to be overexpressed in the mammalian brain. Numerous substrates have been detected which play crucial roles in neuronal and synaptic network functions and activities. The development of new substances for the treatment of these pathologies is in high demand. The impact of these kinases in the progress of neurodegenerative disorders, their bona fide substrates, and numerous natural and synthetic compounds which are able to inhibit CK1, TTBK, and CK2 are discussed in this review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Baier
- Institute of Biological Sciences, The John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland
| | - Ryszard Szyszka
- Institute of Biological Sciences, The John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland
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3
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Moussavi Nik SH, Porter T, Newman M, Bartlett B, Khan I, Sabale M, Eccles M, Woodfield A, Groth D, Dore V, Villemagne VL, Masters CL, Martins RN, Laws SM, Lardelli M, Verdile G. Relevance of a Truncated PRESENILIN 2 Transcript to Alzheimer's Disease and Neurodegeneration. J Alzheimers Dis 2021; 80:1479-1489. [PMID: 33720885 DOI: 10.3233/jad-201133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The PRESENILIN genes (PSEN1, PSEN2) encoding for their respective proteins have critical roles in many aspects of Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathogenesis. The PS2V transcript of PSEN2 encodes a truncated protein and is upregulated in AD brains; however, its relevance to AD and disease progression remains to be determined. OBJECTIVE Assess transcript levels in postmortem AD and non-AD brain tissue and in lymphocytes collected under the Australian Imaging Biomarker and Lifestyle (AIBL) study. METHODS Full length PSEN2 and PS2V transcript levels were assessed by quantitative digital PCR in postmortem brain tissue (frontal cortex and hippocampus) from control, AD, frontotemporal dementia (FTD), and Lewy body dementia (LBD). Transcript levels were also assessed in lymphocytes obtained from the Perth subset of the AIBL study (n = 160). Linear regression analysis was used to assess correlations between transcript copy number and brain volume and neocortical amyloid load. RESULTS PS2V levels increased in AD postmortem brain but PS2V was also present at significant levels in FTD and LBD brains. PS2V transcript was detected in lymphocytes and PS2V/PSEN2 ratios were increased in mild cognitive impairment (p = 0.024) and AD (p = 0.019) groups compared to control group. Increased ratios were significantly correlated with hippocampal volumes only (n = 62, β= -0.269, p = 0.03). CONCLUSION Taken together, these results suggest that PS2V may be a marker of overall neurodegeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seyyed Hani Moussavi Nik
- University of Adelaide, School of Biological Sciences, Centre for Molecular Pathology, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Tenielle Porter
- Collaborative Genomics and Translation Group, Strategic Research Centre for Precision Health, School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, Western Australia, Australia.,School of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, Curtin Health Innovation Research Institute, Curtin University, Bentley, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Morgan Newman
- University of Adelaide, School of Biological Sciences, Centre for Molecular Pathology, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Benjamin Bartlett
- School of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, Curtin Health Innovation Research Institute, Curtin University, Bentley, Western Australia, Australia.,Department of Advanced Clinical and Translational Cardiovascular Imaging, Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, Murdoch, Western Australia, Australia.,School of Medicine, University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Imran Khan
- School of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, Curtin Health Innovation Research Institute, Curtin University, Bentley, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Miheer Sabale
- School of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, Curtin Health Innovation Research Institute, Curtin University, Bentley, Western Australia, Australia.,Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie University, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Melissa Eccles
- School of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, Curtin Health Innovation Research Institute, Curtin University, Bentley, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Amy Woodfield
- School of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, Curtin Health Innovation Research Institute, Curtin University, Bentley, Western Australia, Australia
| | - David Groth
- School of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, Curtin Health Innovation Research Institute, Curtin University, Bentley, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Vincent Dore
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and Centre for PET, Austin Health, Heidelberg, VIC, Australia
| | - Victor L Villemagne
- Department of Nuclear Medicine and Centre for PET, Austin Health, Heidelberg, VIC, Australia.,The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Colin L Masters
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Ralph N Martins
- Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie University, New South Wales, Australia.,School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Simon M Laws
- Collaborative Genomics and Translation Group, Strategic Research Centre for Precision Health, School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, Western Australia, Australia.,School of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, Curtin Health Innovation Research Institute, Curtin University, Bentley, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Michael Lardelli
- University of Adelaide, School of Biological Sciences, Centre for Molecular Pathology, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Giuseppe Verdile
- Collaborative Genomics and Translation Group, Strategic Research Centre for Precision Health, School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, Western Australia, Australia.,School of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, Curtin Health Innovation Research Institute, Curtin University, Bentley, Western Australia, Australia
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4
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Gambogi LB, Guimarães HC, De Souza LC, Caramelli P. Behavioral variant frontotemporal dementia in patients with previous severe mental illness: a systematic and critical review. ARQUIVOS DE NEURO-PSIQUIATRIA 2019; 77:654-668. [DOI: 10.1590/0004-282x20190107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2018] [Accepted: 05/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
ABSTRACT Objectives: To explore the relationship between severe/serious mental illness (SMI) and the behavioral variant of frontotemporal dementia (bvFTD), as the patterns of symptoms and cognitive performance that characterize both disorders share similarities. Methods: We performed a systematic review investigating what has already been published regarding the relationship between bvFTD and SMI. Studies were selected from PubMed and LILACS databases, including those published up to February 12, 2018. The search strategy included the following terms: “frontotemporal dementia” plus “bipolar”, OR “frontotemporal dementia” plus “schizophrenia”, OR “frontotemporal dementia” plus “schizoaffective”. Publications without abstracts, case reports with absent genetic or histopathological confirmation, reviews and non-English language papers were excluded across the search process. Results: The search on PubMed retrieved 186 articles, of which 42 met eligibility criteria. On the LILACS database, none met the requirements. Generally, three major research aims were identified: 1) to look for frontotemporal lobar degeneration-associated genetic abnormalities in patients with prior SMI; 2) to compare the cognitive profile between patients affected by neurodegenerative disorders and schizophrenic patients; 3) to highlight the association between bvFTD and preceding psychiatric conditions and/or distinguish them both. The investigated mutations were found infrequently in the studied SMI samples. Cross-sectional studies comparing cognitive performance between bvFTD and psychiatric disorders mostly found no remarkable differences. There were only a few case reports identifying definite frontotemporal lobar degeneration in patients with previous psychiatric diagnoses. Conclusions: The available evidence demonstrates how fragile the current understanding is regarding the association between bvFTD and prior SMI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leandro Boson Gambogi
- Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Brasil; Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Brasil
| | | | - Leonardo Cruz De Souza
- Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Brasil; Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Brasil
| | - Paulo Caramelli
- Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Brasil; Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Brasil
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5
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Jayne T, Newman M, Verdile G, Sutherland G, Münch G, Musgrave I, Moussavi Nik SH, Lardelli M. Evidence For and Against a Pathogenic Role of Reduced γ-Secretase Activity in Familial Alzheimer's Disease. J Alzheimers Dis 2017; 52:781-99. [PMID: 27060961 DOI: 10.3233/jad-151186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The majority of mutations causing familial Alzheimer's disease (fAD) have been found in the gene PRESENILIN1 (PSEN1) with additional mutations in the related gene PRESENILIN2 (PSEN2). The best characterized function of PRESENILIN (PSEN) proteins is in γ-secretase enzyme activity. One substrate of γ-secretase is encoded by the gene AMYLOID BETA A4 PRECURSOR PROTEIN (AβPP/APP) that is a fAD mutation locus. AβPP is the source of the amyloid-β (Aβ) peptide enriched in the brains of people with fAD or the more common, late onset, sporadic form of AD, sAD. These observations have resulted in a focus on γ-secretase activity and Aβ as we attempt to understand the molecular basis of AD pathology. In this paper we briefly review some of the history of research on γ-secretase in AD. We then discuss the main ideas regarding the role of γ-secretase and the PSEN genes in this disease. We examine the significance of the "fAD mutation reading frame preservation rule" that applies to PSEN1 and PSEN2 (and AβPP) and look at alternative roles for AβPP and Aβ in fAD. We present a case for an alternative interpretation of published data on the role of γ-secretase activity and fAD-associated mutations in AD pathology. Evidence supports a "PSEN holoprotein multimer hypothesis" where PSEN fAD mutations generate mutant PSEN holoproteins that multimerize with wild type holoprotein and dominantly interfere with an AD-critical function(s) such as autophagy or secretion of Aβ. Holoprotein multimerization may be required for the endoproteolysis that activates PSENs' γ-secretase activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tanya Jayne
- Alzheimer's Disease Genetics Laboratory, Centre for Molecular Pathology, School of Biological Sciences, University of Adelaide, North Terrace, Adelaide SA, Australia
| | - Morgan Newman
- Alzheimer's Disease Genetics Laboratory, Centre for Molecular Pathology, School of Biological Sciences, University of Adelaide, North Terrace, Adelaide SA, Australia
| | - Giuseppe Verdile
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Curtin Health Innovation Research Institute - Biosciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, Curtin University, Kent Street, Bentley, WA, Australia.,School of Psychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences, University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA, Australia.,McCusker Alzheimer's Disease Research Foundation, Hollywood Private Hospital, Hollywood Medical Centre, Nedlands, WA, Australia
| | - Greg Sutherland
- Discipline of Pathology, Charles Perkins Centre, Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Gerald Münch
- Molecular Medicine Research Group & School of Medicine, Western Sydney University, Campbelltown NSW, Australia
| | - Ian Musgrave
- Discipline of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Adelaide, North Terrace, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Seyyed Hani Moussavi Nik
- Alzheimer's Disease Genetics Laboratory, Centre for Molecular Pathology, School of Biological Sciences, University of Adelaide, North Terrace, Adelaide SA, Australia
| | - Michael Lardelli
- Alzheimer's Disease Genetics Laboratory, Centre for Molecular Pathology, School of Biological Sciences, University of Adelaide, North Terrace, Adelaide SA, Australia
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Newman M, Wilson L, Verdile G, Lim A, Khan I, Moussavi Nik SH, Pursglove S, Chapman G, Martins RN, Lardelli M. Differential, dominant activation and inhibition of Notch signalling and APP cleavage by truncations of PSEN1 in human disease. Hum Mol Genet 2013; 23:602-17. [DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddt448] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
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7
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Kitazawa M, Medeiros R, Laferla FM. Transgenic mouse models of Alzheimer disease: developing a better model as a tool for therapeutic interventions. Curr Pharm Des 2012; 18:1131-47. [PMID: 22288400 DOI: 10.2174/138161212799315786] [Citation(s) in RCA: 120] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2011] [Accepted: 12/19/2011] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Alzheimer disease (AD) is the leading cause of dementia among elderly. Currently, no effective treatment is available for AD. Analysis of transgenic mouse models of AD has facilitated our understanding of disease mechanisms and provided valuable tools for evaluating potential therapeutic strategies. In this review, we will discuss the strengths and weaknesses of current mouse models of AD and the contribution towards understanding the pathological mechanisms and developing effective therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masashi Kitazawa
- School of Natural Sciences, University of California, Merced, CA 95343, USA.
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8
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Familial frontotemporal dementia-associated presenilin-1 c.548G>T mutation causes decreased mRNA expression and reduced presenilin function in knock-in mice. J Neurosci 2012; 32:5085-96. [PMID: 22496554 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.0317-12.2012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Mutations in the presenilin-1 (PSEN1) gene are associated with familial Alzheimer's disease and frontotemporal dementia (FTD). Interestingly, neuropathological analysis of a Belgian FTD family carrying a PSEN1 c.548G>T mutation confirmed neurodegeneration in the absence of amyloid plaques. To investigate the impact of the c.548G>T mutation on presenilin-1 (PS1) function in vivo, we introduced this mutation into the genomic Psen1 locus. The resulting c.548G>T knock-in (KI) mice are viable but express markedly lower levels of Psen1 mRNA and protein in the brain. This reduction is due to production of aberrantly spliced transcripts lacking either exon 6 or exons 6 and 7 and their subsequent degradation via non-sense-mediated decay (NMD); inhibition of NMD by cycloheximide treatment stabilized these transcripts and restored the level of Psen1 mRNA in KI/KI brains. Interestingly, the reduction of Psen1 mRNA expression and the degradation of aberrant Psen1 splice products occur exclusively in the brain but not in other tissues. Consistent with decreased Psen1 expression, γ-secretase activity was strongly reduced in the cerebral cortex of KI mice, as measured by de novo γ-secretase-mediated cleavage of APP and Notch. Moreover, PS1 expressed from Psen1 cDNA carrying the c.548G>T mutation displayed normal γ-secretase activity in cultured cells, indicating that the corresponding p.183G>V amino acid substitution does not affect γ-secretase activity. Finally, Psen1 c.548G>T(KI/KI);Psen2(-/-) mice exhibited mild spatial memory deficits in the Morris water maze task. Together, our findings demonstrate that the c.548G>T mutation results in a brain-specific loss of presenilin function due to decreased Psen1 mRNA expression.
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9
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Newman M, Musgrave IF, Musgrave FI, Lardelli M. Alzheimer disease: amyloidogenesis, the presenilins and animal models. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2006; 1772:285-97. [PMID: 17208417 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2006.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 80] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2006] [Revised: 11/06/2006] [Accepted: 12/05/2006] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease is the most prevalent form of dementia. Neuropathogenesis is proposed to be a result of the accumulation of amyloid beta peptides in the brain together with oxidative stress mechanisms and neuroinflammation. The presenilin proteins are central to the gamma-secretase cleavage of the amyloid prescursor protein (APP), releasing the amyloid beta peptide. Point mutations in the presenilin genes lead to cases of familial Alzheimer's disease by increasing APP cleavage resulting in excess amyloid beta formation. This review discusses the molecular mechanism of Alzheimer's disease with a focus on the presenilin genes. Alternative splicing of transcripts from these genes and how these may function in several disease states is discussed. There is an emphasis on the importance of animal models in elucidating the molecular mechanisms behind the development of Alzheimer's disease and how the zebrafish, Danio rerio, can be used as a model organism for analysis of presenilin function and Alzheimer's disease pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Newman
- Discipline of Genetics, School of Molecular and Biomedical Science, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia.
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10
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Mendez MF, McMurtray A. Frontotemporal dementia-like phenotypes associated with presenilin-1 mutations. Am J Alzheimers Dis Other Demen 2006; 21:281-6. [PMID: 16948293 PMCID: PMC10833339 DOI: 10.1177/1533317506290448] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Frontal behavioral changes may be the presenting features of single-photon emission tomography (presenilin-1 [PS-1]) mutations, the most common cause of familial Alzheimer's disease (AD). The authors describe a PS-1 (M233L) mutation with the features of frontotemporal dementia (FTD) and review the literature. PS-1 mutations may produce FTD-like phenotypes with the neuropathology of AD. Some PS-1 mutations have additional Pick's bodies, a neuropathological marker of FTD, and a report of a PS-1 (G183V) mutation found Pick's bodies without amyloid plaques. The patient and the literature suggest that PS-1 mutations result in an overlapping continuum of the clinical and neuropathological features of AD and FTD. In PS-1 mutations, the expression of AD or FTD may depend on the degree of loss of function of the PS-1 gene and the resultant tau pathophysiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mario F Mendez
- Neurobehavior Unit, VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare, CA 90073, USA.
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11
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Vetrivel KS, Zhang YW, Xu H, Thinakaran G. Pathological and physiological functions of presenilins. Mol Neurodegener 2006; 1:4. [PMID: 16930451 PMCID: PMC1513131 DOI: 10.1186/1750-1326-1-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 111] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2006] [Accepted: 06/12/2006] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Mutations in PSEN1 and PSEN2 genes account for the majority of cases of early-onset familial Alzheimer disease. Since the first prediction of a genetic link between PSEN1 and PSEN2 with Alzheimer's disease, many research groups from both academia and pharmaceutical industry have sought to unravel how pathogenic mutations in PSEN cause presenile dementia. PSEN genes encode polytopic membrane proteins termed presenilins (PS1 and PS2), which function as the catalytic subunit of γ-secretase, an intramembrane protease that has a wide spectrum of type I membrane protein substrates. Sequential cleavage of amyloid precursor protein by BACE and γ-secretase releases highly fibrillogenic β-amyloid peptides, which accumulate in the brains of aged individuals and patients with Alzheimer's disease. Familial Alzheimer's disease-associated presenilin variants are thought to exert their pathogenic function by selectively elevating the levels of highly amyloidogenic Aβ42 peptides. In addition to Alzheimer's disease, several recent studies have linked PSEN1 to familiar frontotemporal dementia. Here, we review the biology of PS1, its role in γ-secretase activity, and discuss recent developments in the cell biology of PS1 with respect to Alzheimer's disease pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kulandaivelu S Vetrivel
- Department of Neurobiology, Pharmacology and Physiology, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
| | - Yun-wu Zhang
- Center for Neuroscience and Aging, Burnham Institute for Medical Research, LaJolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Huaxi Xu
- Center for Neuroscience and Aging, Burnham Institute for Medical Research, LaJolla, CA 92037, USA
| | - Gopal Thinakaran
- Department of Neurobiology, Pharmacology and Physiology, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA
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12
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Sjögren M, Andersen C. Frontotemporal dementia—A brief review. Mech Ageing Dev 2006; 127:180-7. [PMID: 16330083 DOI: 10.1016/j.mad.2005.09.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2004] [Revised: 03/14/2005] [Accepted: 09/15/2005] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) is the second most common type of presenile dementia and the forth most common type of senile dementia, but probably the most costly due to its florid symptom characteristics. Clinically, it often presents with changes of personality, restlessness, disinhibition, and impulsiveness and the clinical features can be complicated by neurological signs, such as motor neuron signs, parkinsonism, and gait disturbances. Syndromatically, FTD can be subdivided into a group with predominating behavioural disturbances (frontal variant) and another with predominating language deterioration (temporal variant). Based on the underlying pathological changes, FTD is nosologically divided into disorders such as Pick's disease, frontotemporal lobar degeneration, corticobasal degeneration, progressive supranuclear palsy, and frontotemporal dementia with parkinsonism linked to chromosome 17 (FTDP-17). The cause in sporadic FTD is most often unknown, but in FTDP-17, one of the hereditary FTDs, there is a causative mutation in the tau gene. The frequency of tau-gene mutations is low in sporadic FTD and present in about 10-40% of hereditary FTD. Other types of hereditary FTD have been described, such as FTD caused by mutations in chromosome 3, chromosome 9, and a FTD syndrome can also be caused by mutations in the presenilin-1 gene. Since there is no curative, treatment of prevailing symptoms is the given alternative. Serotonergic acting drugs have been shown to alleviate behavioural symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magnus Sjögren
- Department of Experimantal Geriatrics, Neurotec, Karolinska Institute, Huddinge, Sweden.
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13
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Smith MJ, Sharples RA, Evin G, McLean CA, Dean B, Pavey G, Fantino E, Cotton RGH, Imaizumi K, Masters CL, Cappai R, Culvenor JG. Expression of truncated presenilin 2 splice variant in Alzheimer's disease, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia brain cortex. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2004; 127:128-35. [PMID: 15306129 DOI: 10.1016/j.molbrainres.2004.05.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/30/2004] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
We have analysed the expression of a truncated variant presenilin 2 protein (PS2V) in frontal cortex from subjects with Alzheimer's disease (AD) and age-matched controls, and compared these results with cortex from bipolar disorder (BP), schizophrenia (SZ) and controls in a second brain bank collection. PS2V protein was detected as a 14 kDa species with antibodies directed to the PS2 N-terminal region and to the new C-terminus created by alternative transcription. PS2V protein levels were significantly increased by two-fold in AD cortex, as compared to age-matched controls. In tissue from the second collection, levels of PS2V were markedly elevated in some BP and SZ cases, but there was no overall difference between diagnostic groups. Our findings support previous evidence for increased expression of this variant PS2 isoform in sporadic AD and suggest this isoform may contribute to neurodegeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margaret J Smith
- Department of Pathology, The University of Melbourne, and The Mental Health Research Institute of Victoria, Grattan St., Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia
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14
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Culvenor JG, Ilaya NT, Ryan MT, Canterford L, Hoke DE, Williamson NA, McLean CA, Masters CL, Evin G. Characterization of presenilin complexes from mouse and human brain using Blue Native gel electrophoresis reveals high expression in embryonic brain and minimal change in complex mobility with pathogenic presenilin mutations. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2004; 271:375-85. [PMID: 14717705 DOI: 10.1046/j.1432-1033.2003.03936.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
The presenilin proteins are required for intramembrane cleavage of a subset of type 1 membrane proteins including the Alzheimer's disease amyloid precursor protein. Previous studies indicate presenilin proteins form enzymatically active high molecular mass complexes consisting of heterodimers of N- and C-terminal fragments in association with nicastrin, presenilin enhancer-2 and anterior pharynx defective-1 proteins. Using Blue Native gel electrophoresis (BN/PAGE) we have studied endogenous presenilin 1 complex mass, stability and association with nicastrin, presenilin enhancer-2 and anterior pharynx defective-1. Solubilization of mouse or human brain membranes with dodecyl-d-maltoside produced a 360-kDa species reactive with antibodies to presenilin 1. Presenilin 1 complex levels were high in embryonic brain. Complex integrity was sensitive to Triton X-100 and SDS, but stable to reducing agent. Addition of 5 M urea caused complex dissolution and nicastrin to migrate as a subcomplex. Nicastrin and presenilin enhancer-2 were detected in the presenilin 1 complex following BN/PAGE, electroelution and second-dimension analysis. Anterior pharynx defective-1 was detected as an 18-kDa form and 9-kDa C-terminal fragment by standard SDS/PAGE of mouse tissues, and as a predominant 36-kDa band after presenilin 1 complex second-dimension analysis. Membranes from brain cortex of Alzheimer's disease patients, or from cases with presenilin 1 missense mutations, indicated no change in presenilin 1 complex mobility. Higher molecular mass presenilin 1-reactive species were detected in brain containing presenilin 1 exon 9 deletion mutation. This abnormality was confirmed using cells transfected with the same presenilin deletion mutation.
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Abstract
Evolution of the prefrontal cortex was an essential precursor to civilization. During the past decade, it became increasingly obvious that human prefrontal function is under substantial genetic control. In particular, heritability studies of frontal lobe-related neuropsychological function, electrophysiology and neuroimaging have greatly improved our insight. Moreover, the first genes that are relevant for prefrontal function such as catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) are currently discovered. In this review, we summarize the present knowledge on the genetics of human prefrontal function. For historical reasons, we discuss the genetics of prefrontal function within the broader concept of general cognitive ability (intelligence). Special emphasis is also given to methodological concerns that need to be addressed when conducting research on the genetics of prefrontal function in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Georg Winterer
- Clinical Brain Disorders Branch, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
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