Defects in organellar acidification indicate compromised or infected compartments. Recruitment of the autophagy-related ATG16L1 complex to pathologically neutralized organelles targets ubiquitin-like ATG8 molecules to perturbed membranes. How this process is coupled to proton gradient disruption is unclear.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFTauopathies are characterised by the pathological accumulation of misfolded tau. The emerging view is that toxic tau species drive synaptic dysfunction and potentially tau propagation before measurable neurodegeneration is evident, but the underlying molecular events are not well defined. Human non-mutated 0N4R tau (tau) and P301L mutant 0N4R tau (tau) were expressed in mouse primary cortical neurons using adeno-associated viruses to monitor early molecular changes and synaptic function before the onset of neuronal loss.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFMicroglia are crucial players in the pathogenesis of late-onset Alzheimer's disease (AD), with evidence for both deleterious and beneficial effects. Identifying interventions to modulate microglial responsiveness, promote amyloid β (Aβ) clearance, disrupt plaque formation, or dampen excessive inflammation has therapeutic potential. Bioavailable flavonoids, such as the flavan 3-ols, are of interest due to their antioxidant, metal chelating, signalling, and anti-inflammatory potential.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAggregation of the microtubule-associated protein tau into paired helical filaments (PHFs) and neurofibrillary tangles is a defining characteristic of Alzheimer's Disease. Various plant polyphenols disrupt tau aggregation but display poor bioavailability and low potency, challenging their therapeutic translation. We previously reported that oral administration of the flavonoid (-)-epicatechin (EC) reduced Amyloid-β (Aβ) plaque pathology in APP/PS1 transgenic mice.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAttempts to develop a disease modifying intervention for Alzheimer's disease (AD) through targeting amyloid β (Aβ) have so far been unsuccessful. There is, therefore, a need for novel therapeutics against alternative targets coupled with approaches which may be suitable for early and sustained use likely required for AD prevention. Numerous and studies have shown that flavonoids can act within processes and pathways relevant to AD, such as Aβ and tau pathology, increases in BDNF, inflammation, oxidative stress and neurogenesis.
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