Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can lower amyloidogenic Abeta42 by inhibiting Rho

A subset of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) has been shown to preferentially reduce the secretion of the highly amyloidogenic, 42-residue amyloid-beta peptide Abeta42. We found that Rho and its effector, Rho-associated kinase, preferentially regulated the amount of Abeta42 produced in vitro and that only those NSAIDs effective as Rho inhibitors lowered Abeta42. Administration of Y-27632, a selective Rock inhibitor, also preferentially lowered brain levels of Abeta42 in a transgenic mouse model of Alzheimer's disease. Thus, the Rho-Rock pathway may regulate amyloid precursor protein processing, and a subset of NSAIDs can reduce Abeta42 through inhibition of Rho activity.     

Exogenous induction of cerebral beta-amyloidogenesis is governed by agent and host

Protein aggregation is an established pathogenic mechanism in Alzheimer's disease, but little is known about the initiation of this process in vivo. Intracerebral injection of dilute, amyloid-beta (Abeta)-containing brain extracts from humans with Alzheimer's disease or beta-amyloid precursor protein (APP) transgenic mice induced cerebral beta-amyloidosis and associated pathology in APP transgenic mice in a time- and concentration-dependent manner. The seeding activity of brain extracts was reduced or abolished by Abeta immunodepletion, protein denaturation, or by Abeta immunization of the host. The phenotype of the exogenously induced amyloidosis depended on both the host and the source of the agent, suggesting the existence of polymorphic Abeta strains with varying biological activities reminiscent of prion strains.     

A portrait of Alzheimer secretases--new features and familiar faces

The amyloid beta-peptide (Abeta) is a principal component of the cerebral plaques found in the brains of patients with Alzeheimer's disease (AD). This insoluble 40- to 42-amino acid peptide is formed by the cleavage of the Abeta precursor protein (APP). The three proteases that cleave APP, alpha-, beta-, and gamma-secretases, have been implicated in the etiology of AD. beta-Secretase is a membrane-anchored protein with clear homology to soluble aspartyl proteases, and alpha-secretase displays characteristics of certain membrane-tethered metalloproteases. gamma-Secretase is apparently an oligomeric complex that includes the presenilins, which may be the catalytic component of this protease. Identification of the alpha-, beta-, and gamma-secretases provides potential targets for designing new drugs to treat AD.     

Linkage of plasma Abeta42 to a quantitative locus on chromosome 10 in late-onset Alzheimer's disease pedigrees

Plasma Abeta42 (amyloid beta42 peptide) is invariably elevated in early-onset familial Alzheimer's disease (AD), and it is also increased in the first-degree relatives of patients with typical late-onset AD (LOAD). To detect LOAD loci that increase Abeta42, we used plasma Abeta42 as a surrogate trait and performed linkage analysis on extended AD pedigrees identified through a LOAD patient with extremely high plasma Abeta. Here, we report linkage to chromosome 10 with a maximal lod score of 3.93 at 81 centimorgans close to D10S1225. Remarkably, linkage to the same region was obtained independently in a genome-wide screen of LOAD sibling pairs. These results provide strong evidence for a novel LOAD locus on chromosome 10 that acts to increase Abeta.     

Harnessing chaperones to generate small-molecule inhibitors of amyloid beta aggregation

Protein aggregation is involved in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases and hence is considered an attractive target for therapeutic intervention. However, protein-protein interactions are exceedingly difficult to inhibit. Small molecules lack sufficient steric bulk to prevent interactions between large peptide surfaces. To yield potent inhibitors of beta-amyloid (Abeta) aggregation, we synthesized small molecules that increase their steric bulk by binding to chaperones but also have a moiety available for interaction with Abeta. This strategy yields potent inhibitors of Abeta aggregation and could lead to therapeutics for Alzheimer's disease and other forms of neurodegeneration.     

Games played by rogue proteins in prion disorders and Alzheimer's disease

The incidence of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and that of prion disorders (PrD) could not be more different. One-third of octogenarians succumb to AD, whereas Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease typically affects one individual in a million each year. However, these diseases have many common features impinging on the metabolism of neuronal membrane proteins: the amyloid precursor protein APP in the case of AD, and the cellular prion protein PrPC in PrD. APP begets the Abeta peptide, whereas PrPC begets the malignant prion protein PrPSc. Both Abeta and PrPSc are associated with disease, but we do not know what triggers their accumulation and neurotoxicity. A great deal has been learned, however, about protein folding, misfolding, and aggregation; an entirely new class of intramembrane proteases has been identified; and unsuspected roles for the immune system have been uncovered. There is reason to expect that prion research will profit from advances in the understanding of AD, and vice versa.     

Formation of neurofibrillary tangles in P301l tau transgenic mice induced by Abeta 42 fibrils

beta-Amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs) are the defining neuropathological hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease, but their pathophysiological relation is unclear. Injection of beta-amyloid Abeta42 fibrils into the brains of P301L mutant tau transgenic mice caused fivefold increases in the numbers of NFTs in cell bodies within the amygdala from where neurons project to the injection sites. Gallyas silver impregnation identified NFTs that contained tau phosphorylated at serine 212/threonine 214 and serine 422. NFTs were composed of twisted filaments and occurred in 6-month-old mice as early as 18 days after Abeta42 injections. Our data support the hypothesis that Abeta42 fibrils can accelerate NFT formation in vivo.     

Metabolic regulation of brain Abeta by neprilysin

Amyloid beta peptide (Abeta), the pathogenic agent of Alzheimer's disease (AD), is a physiological metabolite in the brain. We examined the role of neprilysin, a candidate Abeta-degrading peptidase, in the metabolism using neprilysin gene-disrupted mice. Neprilysin deficiency resulted in defects both in the degradation of exogenously administered Abeta and in the metabolic suppression of the endogenous Abeta levels in a gene dose-dependent manner. The regional levels of Abeta in the neprilysin-deficient mouse brain were in the distinct order of hippocampus, cortex, thalamus/striatum, and cerebellum, where hippocampus has the highest level and cerebellum the lowest, correlating with the vulnerability to Abeta deposition in brains of humans with AD. Our observations suggest that even partial down-regulation of neprilysin activity, which could be caused by aging, can contribute to AD development by promoting Abeta accumulation.     

Drosophila microbiome modulates host developmental and metabolic homeostasis via insulin signaling

The symbiotic microbiota profoundly affect many aspects of host physiology; however, the molecular mechanisms underlying host-microbe cross-talk are largely unknown. Here, we show that the pyrroloquinoline quinone-dependent alcohol dehydrogenase (PQQ-ADH) activity of a commensal bacterium, Acetobacter pomorum, modulates insulin/insulin-like growth factor signaling (IIS) in Drosophila to regulate host homeostatic programs controlling developmental rate, body size, energy metabolism, and intestinal stem cell activity. Germ-free animals monoassociated with PQQ-ADH mutant bacteria displayed severe deregulation of developmental and metabolic homeostasis. Importantly, these defects were reversed by enhancing host IIS or by supplementing the diet with acetic acid, the metabolic product of PQQ-ADH.     

The amyloid hypothesis of Alzheimer's disease: progress and problems on the road to therapeutics

It has been more than 10 years since it was first proposed that the neurodegeneration in Alzheimer's disease (AD) may be caused by deposition of amyloid beta-peptide (Abeta) in plaques in brain tissue. According to the amyloid hypothesis, accumulation of Abeta in the brain is the primary influence driving AD pathogenesis. The rest of the disease process, including formation of neurofibrillary tangles containing tau protein, is proposed to result from an imbalance between Abeta production and Abeta clearance.     

Enhanced neurofibrillary degeneration in transgenic mice expressing mutant tau and APP

JNPL3 transgenic mice expressing a mutant tau protein, which develop neurofibrillary tangles and progressive motor disturbance, were crossed with Tg2576 transgenic mice expressing mutant beta-amyloid precursor protein (APP), thus modulating the APP-Abeta (beta-amyloid peptide) environment. The resulting double mutant (tau/APP) progeny and the Tg2576 parental strain developed Abeta deposits at the same age; however, relative to JNPL3 mice, the double mutants exhibited neurofibrillary tangle pathology that was substantially enhanced in the limbic system and olfactory cortex. These results indicate that either APP or Abeta influences the formation of neurofibrillary tangles. The interaction between Abeta and tau pathologies in these mice supports the hypothesis that a similar interaction occurs in Alzheimer's disease.     

Effects of Accelerated Aging on Physiological and Biochemical Characteristics of Waxy and Non-waxy Wheat Seeds

Experiments were conducted to evaluate the physiological and the biochemical characteristics of waxy wheat seeds under accelerated aging conditions. Five waxy wheat lines, which were Waxy 1, Waxy 4, Waxy 8, Waxy 9, and Waxy 15; and five non-waxy wheat lines: S-39, 04J89, Jan-81, Ⅲ42-4, and Ⅲ10 were studied. The seeds were subjected to accelerated aging at 40℃, 45℃, 50℃, 55℃, and 60℃, and 90% relative humidity for 0, 2, 4, 6, and 8 days, respectively. The results showed a gradual increase in conductivity and decrease in germination rate during accelerated aging. SOD, POD and CAT activities increased at low-grade treatment, but decreased at severe treatment. On the other hand, the soluble protein content decreased at 45℃, but successively increased, then decreased 50℃. From the above study, it showed that 90% RH at 55℃ was the best accelerated aging condition for optimum efficiency in a shorter period.     

Effect of Moisture Content on Melilotus suaveolens Seed Quality During Ultra-drying Storage

In order to enhance the seed storability and supply high-quality seeds for vegetation restoration in the arid and semi-arid regions in Northwest China,the effects of ultra-drying and accelerated aging on the physiological characterstics of Melilotus suaveolens seeds were studied.Melilotus suaveolens seeds were dried in a desiccator containing silica gel to 80,53,42,33,23 and 16 g·kg-1 of moisture contents(MC),respectively.The parameters of the seed quality including germination energy(GE),germination percen...     

Solution structures of beta peptide and its constituent fragments: relation to amyloid deposition

The secondary structures in solution of the synthetic, naturally occurring, amyloid beta peptides, residues 1 to 42 [beta (1-42)] and beta (1-39), and related fragments, beta (1-28) and beta (29-42), have been studied by circular dichroism and two-dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. In patients with Alzheimer's disease, extracellular amyloid plaque core is primarily composed of beta (1-42), whereas cerebrovascular amyloid contains the more soluble beta (1-39). In aqueous trifluoroethanol solution, the beta (1-28), beta (1-39), and beta (1-42) peptides adopt monomeric alpha-helical structures at both low and high pH, whereas at intermediate pH (4 to 7) an oligomeric beta structure (the probable structure in plaques) predominates. Thus, beta peptide is not by itself an insoluble protein (as originally thought), and localized or normal age-related alterations of pH may be necessary for the self-assembly and deposition of beta peptide. The hydrophobic carboxyl-terminal segment, beta(29-42), exists exclusively as an oligomeric beta sheet in solution, regardless of differences in solvent, pH, or temperature, suggesting that this segment directs the folding of the complete beta (1-42) peptide to produce the beta-pleated sheet found in amyloid plaques.     

谷子转录因子基因SibZIP42在拟南芥中对高盐和ABA的响应

【目的】分析谷子抗逆相关转录因子基因Sib ZIP42的特性和生物学功能,探讨Sib ZIP42提高植物耐盐性的调控途径,为作物抗逆分子育种提供新的候选基因。【方法】利用生物信息学方法分析谷子Sib ZIP42的特性:使用Clustal X 2.0和MEGA 5.05软件对谷子Sib ZIP42蛋白序列及其同源序列进行多序列比对,并构建系统进化树;从数据库Phytozome获取谷子Sib ZIP42上游2 000 bp作为启动子序列,在PLACE数据库对Sib ZIP42启动子顺式作用元件进行分析;使用Net Phos 2.0 Server数据库预测Sib ZIP42蛋白磷酸化位点;利用实时荧光定量PCR检测Sib ZIP42在不同胁迫条件下的表达模式;将Sib ZIP42与绿色荧光蛋白GFP融合表达,检测Sib ZIP42蛋白的亚细胞定位情况;构建植物表达载体p BI121-Sib ZIP42,转化拟南芥并检测转Sib ZIP42拟南芥的耐盐性及对ABA处理的敏感性。分析转Sib ZIP42拟南芥中ABA及脱水响应相关基因表达变化,分析Sib ZIP42调控植物耐盐性的作用机制。【结果】谷子Sib ZIP42全长546 bp,编码由181个氨基酸组成的亲水性蛋白,分子量约为20.3k D,基因编码区包含1个外显子;系统进化树分析表明该基因位于b ZIP基因家族的S亚组;Sib ZIP42与拟南芥Atb ZIP42序列同源性最高;启动子元件分析表明,Sib ZIP42包含ABRE、MYB、MYC等多种逆境胁迫应答相关元件;磷酸化位点分析结果显示Sib ZIP42含有14个丝氨酸、4个酪氨酸和1个苏氨酸磷酸化位点;实时荧光定量PCR结果显示,Sib ZIP42对多种非生物胁迫均有不同程度的响应,在高盐、干旱(PEG)和ABA处理条件下表达量明显上升,Sib ZIP42在根部的表达量显著高于在茎及叶子中的表达;亚细胞定位结果表明,Sib ZIP42蛋白定位于细胞核中;基因功能分析结果显示,在正常MS培养基上,野生型拟南芥WT和Sib ZIP42转基因拟南芥的萌发率基本一致,在Na Cl浓度为90、120和150 mmol·L~(-1)的MS培养基上,转基因拟南芥萌发率显著高于WT,在90 mmol·L~(-1) Na Cl处理条件下,转基因拟南芥的绿化率显著高于WT;在ABA浓度为0.5、1和2μmol·L~(-1)的MS培养基上,转基因拟南芥的绿化率显著低于WT;下游基因检测结果表明,HIS1-3、RD29B和RAB18等ABA胁迫响应相关基因以及脱水响应相关基因At PIP2A在转基因植株中表达量显著高于在WT中的表达,表明Sib ZIP42可能通过ABA信号途径提高植物对高盐胁迫的耐性。【结论】与WT相比,Sib ZIP42转基因拟南芥株系在种子萌发时期耐盐性显著提高。同时,在种子萌发后期Sib ZIP42转基因株系相比于WT对ABA处理的敏感性增强,Sib ZIP42可能通过ABA信号途径正向调控植物的耐盐性。     

草鱼肌原纤维蛋白加热过程中理化特性的变化

考察草鱼肌原纤维蛋白在加热过程中各理化特性的变化规律和机理。结果表明:随着温度的上升,浊度呈S型曲线增加,48℃时上升迅速;黏度呈反S型曲线下降,46℃时下降剧烈;Ca2+-ATPase活性下降,在36～42℃略有上升,46℃时完全失活;总巯基含量从40℃开始显著下降,60～70℃时下降显著。分别于45、55和65℃恒温加热,Ca2+-ATPase活性和黏度随时间延长而下降,浊度上升,温度越高变化越显著;大于50℃恒温加热,总巯基随时间延长而显著下降。草鱼肌原纤维蛋白的DSC扫描图谱在46.37℃和62.59℃出现2个焓变点。SDS-PAGE电泳表明草鱼肌原纤维蛋白在加热过程中(大于45℃)产生了二硫键,说明草鱼肌球蛋白在加热过程中发生了构象变化和分子聚集从而导致了肌原纤维蛋白的热变性。     

Quantitative mass spectrometry identifies insulin signaling targets in C. elegans

DAF-2, an insulin receptor-like protein, regulates metabolism, development, and aging in Caenorhabditis elegans. In a quantitative proteomic study, we identified 86 proteins that were more or less abundant in long-lived daf-2 mutant worms than in wild-type worms. Genetic studies on a subset of these proteins indicated that they act in one or more processes regulated by DAF-2, including entry into the dauer developmental stage and aging. In particular, we discovered a compensatory mechanism activated in response to reduced DAF-2 signaling, which involves the protein phosphatase calcineurin.     

Extension of life-span by loss of CHICO, a Drosophila insulin receptor substrate protein

The Drosophila melanogaster gene chico encodes an insulin receptor substrate that functions in an insulin/insulin-like growth factor (IGF) signaling pathway. In the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans, insulin/IGF signaling regulates adult longevity. We found that mutation of chico extends fruit fly median life-span by up to 48% in homozygotes and 36% in heterozygotes. Extension of life-span was not a result of impaired oogenesis in chico females, nor was it consistently correlated with increased stress resistance. The dwarf phenotype of chico homozygotes was also unnecessary for extension of life-span. The role of insulin/IGF signaling in regulating animal aging is therefore evolutionarily conserved.