Autophagy is a highly conserved catabolic mechanism by which unnecessary or dysfunctional cellular components are removed. The dysregulation of autophagy has been implicated in various neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's disease (AD). Understanding the molecular mechanism(s)/molecules that influence autophagy may provide important insights into developing therapeutic strategies against AD and other neurodegenerative disorders.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAmyloid precursor protein (APP) is a key molecule in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD) as the pathogenic amyloid-β peptide is derived from it. Two closely related APP family proteins (APPs) have also been identified in mammals. Current knowledge, including genetic analyses of gain- and loss-of-function mutants, highlights the importance of APPs in various physiological functions.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFNeurite outgrowth is a fundamental process in neurons that produces extensions and, consequently, neural connectivity. Neurite damage and atrophy are observed in various brain injuries and disorders. Understanding the intrinsic pathways of neurite outgrowth is essential for developing strategies to stimulate neurite regeneration.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAmyloid-β (Aβ) is derived from the proteolytic processing of amyloid precursor protein (APP), and the deposition of extracellular Aβ to form amyloid plaques is a pathologic hallmark of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Although reducing Aβ generation and accumulation has been proposed as a means of treating the disease, adverse side effects and unsatisfactory efficacy have been reported in several clinical trials that sought to lower Aβ levels. Engulfment adaptor phosphotyrosine-binding (PTB) domain containing 1 (GULP1) is a molecular adaptor that has been shown to interact with APP to alter Aβ production.
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