脂筏在阿尔茨海默症中的作用

Emerging Roles of Lipid Rafts in Alzheimer's Disease

脂筏(lipid raft)是细胞膜中富含胆固醇的功能性微区,在信号转导、物质运输等方面发挥着重要作用。大量证据显示脂筏与阿尔茨海默症(Alzheimer's disease,AD)的致病机理密切相关。β-淀粉样肽(amyloidβ-peptide,Aβ)的异常代谢和聚集可能是AD的致病主因,而脂筏不但是Aβ产生的主要场所,还能调节Aβ的聚集行为及神经毒性,因而在AD的病理过程中扮演着关键角色。

Lipid rafts are cholesterol-enriched micro-domains in cell membranes with critical functions in cellular signaling and transportation, Accumulating evidence indicates lipid rafts are intimately associated with the pathogenesis of AIzheimer＇s disease （AD）. Because the abnormal metabolism and aggregation of amyloid β-peptide （Aβ） is causally involved in the initiation and development of AD, lipid rafts regulate the production, aggregation and toxicity of Aβ, thus pinpointing a critical role of lipid rafts in AD.