Altered secondary structure of Dynorphin A associates with loss of opioid signalling and NMDA-mediated excitotoxicity in SCA23.

Spinocerebellar ataxia type 23 (SCA23) is caused by missense mutations in prodynorphin, encoding the precursor protein for the opioid neuropeptides α-neoendorphin, Dynorphin (Dyn) A and Dyn B, leading to neurotoxic elevated mutant Dyn A levels. Dyn A acts on opioid receptors to reduce pain in the spinal cord, but its cerebellar function remains largely unknown. Increased concentration of or prolonged exposure to Dyn A is neurotoxic and these deleterious effects are very likely caused by an N-methyl-d-aspartate-mediated non-opioid mechanism as Dyn A peptides were shown to bind NMDA receptors and potentiate their glutamate-evoked currents.

Tripeptidyl Peptidase II Mediates Levels of Nuclear Phosphorylated ERK1 and ERK2.

Tripeptidyl peptidase II (TPP2) is a serine peptidase involved in various biological processes, including antigen processing, cell growth, DNA repair, and neuropeptide mediated signaling. The underlying mechanisms of how a peptidase can influence this multitude of processes still remain unknown. We identified rapid proteomic changes in neuroblastoma cells following selective TPP2 inhibition using the known reversible inhibitor butabindide, as well as a new, more potent, and irreversible peptide phosphonate inhibitor.

Accumulation of BRI2-BRICHOS ectodomain correlates with a decreased clearance of Aβ by insulin degrading enzyme (IDE) in Alzheimer's disease.

The precursor protein BRI2 that in its mutated form is associated with British and Danish dementia, can regulate critical processes involved in AD pathogenesis including not only the metabolism of amyloid precursor protein (APP) and formation of Aβ, but also the levels of secreted insulin degrading enzyme (IDE), an enzyme involved in Aβ clearance. We recently observed increased levels of a 45kDa BRI2 form as well as BRI2 ectodomain deposits in Aβ plaques in human AD hippocampus, which may affect BRI2 functional activity. Since BRI2 regulated the levels of secreted IDE and subsequent degradation of Aβ in human cell culture models, we explored if BRI2 changes could affect the Aβ degradation capacity of IDE in human hippocampus (n=28).

Storm before the quiet: neuronal hyperactivity and Aβ in the presymptomatic stages of Alzheimer's disease.

Neuronal activity directly promotes the production and secretion of amyloid β (Aβ). Interestingly, neuronal hyperactivity can be observed in presymptomatic stages of both sporadic and familial Alzheimer's disease (AD) and in several AD mouse models. In this review, we will highlight the recent evidence for neuronal hyperactivity before or during the onset of cognitive defects in mild cognitive impairment.

Reduced amyloid-β degradation in early Alzheimer's disease but not in the APPswePS1dE9 and 3xTg-AD mouse models.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is hallmarked by amyloid-β (Aβ) peptides accumulation and aggregation in extracellular plaques, preceded by intracellular accumulation. We examined whether intracellular Aβ can be cleared by cytosolic peptidases and whether this capacity is affected during progression of sporadic AD (sAD) in humans and in the commonly used APPswePS1dE9 and 3xTg-AD mouse models. A quenched Aβ peptide that becomes fluorescent upon degradation was used to screen for Aβ-degrading cytoplasmic peptidases cleaving the aggregation-prone KLVFF region of the peptide.