Alpha-secretase dependent nuclear localization of the amyloid-β precursor protein-binding protein Fe65 promotes DNA repair.

Fe65 is a brain enriched adaptor protein involved in various cellular processes, including actin cytoskeleton regulation, DNA repair and transcription. A well-studied interacting partner of Fe65 is the transmembrane amyloid-β precursor protein (APP), which can undergo regulated intramembrane proteolysis (RIP). Following β- and γ-secretase-mediated RIP, the released APP intracellular domain (AICD) together with Fe65 can translocate to the nucleus and regulate transcription.

Nuclear localization of amyloid-β precursor protein-binding protein Fe65 is dependent on regulated intramembrane proteolysis.

Fe65 is an adaptor protein involved in both processing and signaling of the Alzheimer-associated amyloid-β precursor protein, APP. Here, the subcellular localization was further investigated using TAP-tagged Fe65 constructs expressed in human neuroblastoma cells. Our results indicate that PTB2 rather than the WW domain is important for the nuclear localization of Fe65.

Anchoring of FRET Sensors-A Requirement for Spatiotemporal Resolution.

FRET biosensors have become a routine tool for investigating mechanisms and components of cell signaling. Strategies for improving them for particular applications are continuously sought. One important aspect to consider when designing FRET probes is the dynamic distribution and propagation of signals within living cells.

Phosphorylation of Fe65 amyloid precursor protein-binding protein in response to neuronal differentiation.

Fe65 is a brain enriched multi domain adaptor protein involved in diverse cellular functions. One of its binding partners is the amyloid-β (Aβ) precursor protein (APP), which after sequential proteolytic processing by secretases gives rise to the Alzheimer's Aβ peptide. Fe65 binds to the APP intracellular domain (AICD).

Exposure to the saturated free fatty acid palmitate alters BV-2 microglia inflammatory response.

Elevated levels of free fatty acids (FFAs) in plasma and increased incidence of chronic systemic inflammation are associated with obesity. In the brain, activated microglia are believed to play different roles during inflammation that may either be neuroprotective or promote neurodegeneration. Here, we have investigated the effects of FFAs on microglial response to inflammatory stimuli.

GLP-1 secretion by microglial cells and decreased CNS expression in obesity.

Background: Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is a strong risk factor for developing neurodegenerative pathologies. T2D patients have a deficiency in the intestinal incretin hormone GLP-1, which has been shown to exert neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory properties in the brain.

Methods: Here we investigate potential sources of GLP-1 in the CNS and the effect of diabetic conditions on the proglucagon mRNA expression in the CNS.

TRAIL resistance in human neuroblastoma SK-N-AS cells is dependent on protein kinase C and involves inhibition of caspase-3 proteolytic processing.

Neuroblastoma is the most common solid extracranial cancer form in childhood with an etiology that is mostly unknown. Although tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) has been proposed as a promising future anticancer drug candidate, highly malignant neuroblastoma has been reported to acquire TRAIL resistance by mechanisms that are poorly understood. Here, we show by western blot analysis, and live cell imaging using anchored FRET sensors, that the resistance to TRAIL-induced apoptosis in human neuroblastoma SK-N-AS cells depends on an incomplete processing of procaspase-3, generating an immature and catalytically inactive 21 kDa fragment.

Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor activation reduces ischaemic brain damage following stroke in Type 2 diabetic rats.

Diabetes is a strong risk factor for premature and severe stroke. The GLP-1R (glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor) agonist Ex-4 (exendin-4) is a drug for the treatment of T2D (Type 2 diabetes) that may also have neuroprotective effects. The aim of the present study was to determine the efficacy of Ex-4 against stroke in diabetes by using a diabetic animal model, a drug administration paradigm and a dose that mimics a diabetic patient on Ex-4 therapy.

Sensitization to TRAIL-induced apoptosis in human neuroblastoma SK-N-AS cells by NF-κB inhibitors is dependent on reactive oxygen species (ROS).

Tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) has been shown to induce apoptosis in a variety of cancer cell lines with almost no toxicity toward normal cells. However, many neuroblastoma cells acquire resistance to TRAIL by mechanisms that are poorly understood. The objective of this study was to investigate involvement of the transcription factor NF-κB in the resistance of human neuroblastoma SK-N-AS cells to TRAIL-induced apoptosis.

O-GlcNAcylation increases non-amyloidogenic processing of the amyloid-β precursor protein (APP).

The amyloid-β precursor protein (APP) was shown to be O-GlcNAcylated 15 years ago, but the effect of this modification on APP processing and formation of the Alzheimer's disease associated amyloid-β (Aβ) peptide has so far not been investigated. Here, we demonstrate with pharmacological tools or siRNA that O-GlcNAcase and O-GlcNAc transferase regulate the level of O-GlcNAcylated APP. We also show that O-GlcNAcylation increases non-amyloidogenic α-secretase processing, resulting in increased levels of the neuroprotective sAPPα fragment and decreased Aβ secretion.

Insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1)-induced processing of amyloid-beta precursor protein (APP) and APP-like protein 2 is mediated by different metalloproteinases.

alpha-Secretase cleavage of the amyloid precursor protein (APP) is of great interest because it prevents the formation of the Alzheimer-linked amyloid-beta peptide. APP belongs to a conserved gene family including the two paralogues APP-like protein (APLP) 1 and 2. Insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) stimulates the shedding of all three proteins.

Amyloid precursor protein and its homologues: a family of proteolysis-dependent receptors.

The Alzheimer's amyloid precursor protein (APP) belongs to a conserved gene family that also includes the mammalian APLP1 and APLP2, the Drosophila APPL, and the C. elegans APL-1. The biological function of APP is still not fully clear.

Alzheimer amyloid-beta peptides block the activation of C/EBPbeta and C/EBPdelta in glial cells.

Members of the CCAAT/enhancer binding protein (C/EBP) family of transcription factors have been reported to be up-regulated in Alzheimer's disease. In the present study, we have investigated the effects of amyloid-beta (Abeta) peptides on C/EBPbeta and C/EBPdelta, previously shown to be induced by inflammatory stimuli in glial cells. Surprisingly, electrophoretic mobility shift assay showed that both Abeta(1-42) and Abeta(25-35) blocked C/EBP activation induced by the inflammatory cytokine interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) or lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in mixed primary glial cell cultures from rat.

PI3-K- and PKC-dependent up-regulation of APP processing enzymes by retinoic acid.

Retinoic acid stimulates alpha-secretase processing of amyloid precursor protein (APP) and decreases beta-secretase cleavage that leads to amyloid-beta formation. Here, we investigated the effect of retinoic acid on the two putative alpha-secretases, the disintegrin metalloproteinases ADAM10 and TACE, and the beta-site cleaving enzyme BACE1, in human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells. Western blot analysis showed that exposure to retinoic acid resulted in significantly increased levels of ADAM10 and TACE, suggesting that regulation of alpha-secretases causes the effects on APP processing.

Targeting cytokine expression in glial cells by cellular delivery of an NF-kappaB decoy.

Inhibition of nuclear factor (NF)-kappaB has emerged as an important strategy for design of anti-inflammatory therapies. In neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer's disease, inflammatory reactions mediated by glial cells are believed to promote disease progression. Here, we report that uptake of a double-stranded oligonucleotide NF-kappaB decoy in rat primary glial cells is clearly facilitated by noncovalent binding to a cell-penetrating peptide, transportan 10, via a complementary peptide nucleic acid (PNA) sequence.

IGF-1-induced processing of the amyloid precursor protein family is mediated by different signaling pathways.

The mammalian amyloid precursor protein (APP) protein family consists of the APP and the amyloid precursor-like proteins 1 and 2 (APLP1 and APLP2). The neurotoxic amyloid beta-peptide (Abeta) originates from APP, which is the only member of this protein family implicated in Alzheimer disease. However, the three homologous proteins have been proposed to be processed in similar ways and to have essential and overlapping functions.

Increased processing of APLP2 and APP with concomitant formation of APP intracellular domains in BDNF and retinoic acid-differentiated human neuroblastoma cells.

The amyloid precursor protein (APP) belongs to a conserved gene family, also including the amyloid precursor-like proteins, APLP1 and APLP2. We have previously shown that all members of the APP protein family are up-regulated upon retinoic acid (RA)-induced neuronal differentiation of SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells. Here, we demonstrate that RA also affects the processing of APLP2 and APP, as shown by increased shedding of both sAPLP2 and sAPPalpha, as well as elevated levels of the APP intracellular domains (AICDs).

Central IL-1 receptor signaling regulates bone growth and mass.

The proinflammatory cytokine IL-1, acting via the hypothalamic IL-1 receptor type 1 (IL-1RI), activates pathways known to suppress bone formation such as the hypothalamo pituitary-adrenocortical axis and the sympathetic nervous system. In addition, peripheral IL-1 has been implicated as a mediator of the bone loss induced by sex hormone depletion and TNF. Here, we report an unexpected low bone mass (LBM) phenotype, including impairment of bone growth, in IL-1RI-deficient mice (IL-1rKO mice).

Cellular delivery of a double-stranded oligonucleotide NFkappaB decoy by hybridization to complementary PNA linked to a cell-penetrating peptide.

The activation of nuclear factor kappaB (NFkappaB) is a key event in immune and inflammatory responses. In this study, a cell-penetrating transport peptide, transportan (TP) or its shorter analogue TP 10, was used to facilitate the cellular uptake of an NFkappaB decoy. Peptide nucleic acid (PNA) hexamer or nonamer was linked to the transport peptide by a disulfide bond.

Degradation of GFP-labelled POM121, a non-invasive sensor of nuclear apoptosis, precedes clustering of nuclear pores and externalisation of phosphatidylserine.

The nuclear pore membrane protein POM121 is specifically degraded during apoptosis by a caspase-3-dependent process enabling early detection of apoptosis in living cells expressing POM121-GFP. Here we further investigated temporal aspects of apoptotic degradation of POM121-GFP. We demonstrate that decreased POM121-GFP fluorescence precedes annexin V-labelling of apoptotic cells.

Effects of chronic overexpression of interleukin-1 receptor antagonist in a model of permanent focal cerebral ischemia in mouse.

Interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra) has been shown previously to have neuroprotective effects in animal models of stroke. The effects of chronic overexpression of human soluble IL-1ra (hsIL-1ra) were studied in a mouse model of permanent focal cerebral ischemia. A transgenic mouse strain (Tg hsIL-1ra+/-) has been developed using the promoter for glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) to limit the overexpression to the CNS.