Divalent cation tolerance protein binds to β-secretase and inhibits the processing of amyloid precursor protein

The deposition of amyloid-beta is a pathological hallmark of Alzheimer＇s disease, Amyloid-beta is derived from amyloid precursor protein through sequential proteolytic cleavages by β-secretase （beta-site amyloid precursor protein-cleaving enzyme 1） and r-secretase. To further elucidate the roles of beta-site amyloid precursor protein-cleaving enzyme 1 in the development of AIzheimer＇s disease, a yeast two-hybrid system was used to screen a human embryonic brain cDNA library for proteins directly interacting with the intracellular domain of beta-site amyloid precursor protein-cleaving enzyme 1. A potential beta-site amyloid precursor protein-cleaving enzyme 1- interacting protein identified from the positive clones was divalent cation tolerance protein. Immunoprecipitation studies in the neuroblastoma cell line N2a showed that exogenous divalent cation tolerance protein interacts with endogenous beta-site amyloid precursor protein-cleaving enzyme 1. The overexpression of divalent cation tolerance protein did not affect beta-site amyloid precursor protein-cleaving enzyme 1 protein levels, but led to increased amyloid precursor protein levels in N2a/APP695 cells, with a concomitant reduction in the processing product amyloid precursor protein C-terminal fragment, indicating that divalent cation tolerance protein inhibits the processing of amyloid precursor protein. Our experimental findings suggest that divalent cation tolerance protein negatively regulates the function of beta-site amyloid precursor protein-cleaving enzyme 1. Thus, divalent cation tolerance protein could play a protective role in Alzheimer＇s disease.

Observation of amyloid precursor protein cleavage and Aβ generation in living cells by using multiphoton laser scanning microscopy

Objective To investigate the proteolytic mechanism of amyloid precursor protein （APP） and to explore amyloidbeta （Aβ） generation in living neurons. Methods DNA fragments were amplified by PCR or synthesized. The four fragments, CFP, 54bp, YFP and C99 were ligated into pcDNA3.0 vector to construct the recombinant plasmids pcDNA3.0-CFP-54bp- YFP and pcDNA3.0-CFP-54bp-YFP-C99. The SH-SY5Y cells were transiently transfected with pcDNA3.0-CFP-54bp-YFP or pcDNA3.0-CFP-54bp-YFP-C99. The expression of fusion gene was examined under a multiphoton laser scanning microscope. Fluorescence resonance energy transfer （FRET） was used to measure the β cleavage and γ cleavage of APE Aβ generation was confirmed by immunocytochemistry and multiphoton laser scanning microscopy. Cell viability was tested by MTT assay at different time points. Results （1） The double restriction endonuclease digestion and sequencing analysis confirmed the authenticity of the recombinant plasmids pcDNA3.0-CFP-54bp-YFP and pcDNA3.0-CFP-54bp- YFP-C99. （2） Blue and yellow fluorescences were detected in the transfected cells. （3） FRET occurred in pcDNA3.0-CFP- 54bp-YFP-transfected cells but not in pcDNA3.0-CFP-54bp-YFP-C99-transfected cells. （4） Aβ was produced in the pcDNA3.0- CFP-54bp-YFP-C99 transfected cells. （5） Aβ-deposition was widespread in the cell. （6） Cell viability decreased along with the intracellular Aβ deposition. Conclusion C99 is important for the APP β cleavage. Aβ may be generated and deposited in cells at the early stage of Alzheimer＇s disease. Intracellular Aβ accumulation brings deleterious effects on cells.

Inhibition of beta-site amyloid precursor protein-cleaving enzyme and beta-amyloid precursor protein genes in SK-N-SH cells

BACKGROUND： Previous studies have demonstrated that Piper futokadsura stem selectively inhibits expression of amyloid precursor protein （APP） at the mRNA level. In addition, the piperlonguminine （A） and dihydropiperlonguminine （B） components （1 ： 0.8）, which can be separated from Futokadsura stem, selectively inhibit expression of the APP at mRNA and protein levels. OBJECTIVE： Based on previous findings, the present study investigated the effects of β-site amyloid precursor protein cleaving enzyme （BACE1） and APP genes on the production of β-amyloid peptide 42 （Aβ42） in human neuroblastoma cells （SK-N-SH cells） using small interfering RNAs （siRNAs） and A/B components separated from Futokadsura stem, respectively. DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING： A gene interference-based randomized, controlled, in vitro experiment was performed at the Key Laboratory of Cardiovascular Remodeling and Function Research, Ministries of Education and Public Health, and Institute of Pharmacologic Research, School of Pharmaceutical Science ＆ Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Shandong University between July 2006 and December 2007. MATERIALS： SK-N-SH cells were provided by Shanghai Institutes of Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China; mouse anti-human BACE1 monoclonal antibody was purchased from R＆D Systems, USA; mouse anti-human APP monoclonal antibody was purchased from Cell Signaling Technology, USA; and horseradish peroxidase （HRP）-conjugated goat anti-mouse IgG was provided by Sigma, USA. METHODS： The human BACE1 cDNA sequence was obtained from NCBI website （www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez）. Three pairs of siRNAs, specific to human BACE1 gene, were synthesized through the use of Silencer pre-designed siRNA specification, and were transfected into SK-N-SH cells with siPORT NeoFX transfection agent to compare the effects of different concentrations of siRNAs （10-50 nmol/L） on SK-N-SH cells. Futokadsura stem was separated and purified with chemical methods, and the crystal was composed of A/B components, with an A to B ratio of 1：0.8. The A/B （1 ： 0.8） components were added to the SK-N-SH cells at different concentrations （13.13, 6.56, and 3.28 mg/mL）. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： Using RT-PCR and Western blot methods, BACE1 and APP expression at mRNA and protein levels was detected in SK-N-SH cells following treatment with different siRNAs and concentrations of Futokadsura stem-separated A/B components, respectively. Altered Aβ42 secretion by SK-N-SH cells was determined by ELISA. RESULTS： BACE1 mRNA and protein levels were significantly suppressed by 40 and 50 nmol/L siRNAs at 48 hours post-transfection. A/B components （1 ： 0.8）, which were separated from Futokadsura stem, selectively inhibited mRNA and protein expression of APP in SK-N-SH cells. Aβ42 secretion by SK-N-SH cells was significantly decreased following treatment with siRNAs or A/B components. CONCLUSION： Inhibition of BACE1 and APP genes by various materials and methods efficiently decreased production of Aβ42.

Two memory associated genes regulated by amyloid precursor protein intracellular domain Novel insights into the pathogenesis of learning and memory impairment in Alzheimer's disease

In this study, we employed chromatin immunoprecipitation, a useful method for studying the locations of transcription factors bound to specific DNA regions in specific cells, to investigate amyloid precursor protein intracellular domain binding sites in chromatin DNA from hippocampal neurons of rats, and to screen out five putative genes associated with the learning and memory functions. The promoter regions of the calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II alpha and glutamate receptor-2 genes were amplified by PCR from DNA products immunoprecipitated by amyloid precursor protein intracellular domain. An electrophoretic mobility shift assay and western blot analysis suggested that the promoter regions of these two genes associated with learning and memory were bound by amyloid precursor protein intracellular domain （in complex form）. Our experimental findings indicate that the amyloid precursor protein intracellular domain is involved in the transcriptional regulation of learning- and memory-associated genes in hippocampal neurons. These data may provide new insights into the molecular mechanism underlying the symptoms of progressive memory loss in Alzheimer＇s disease.

Effect of glycosides of Cistanche on the expression of mitochondrial precursor protein and keratin type Ⅱ cytoskeletal 6A in a rat model of vascular dementia

Glycosides of Cistanche（GC）is a preparation used extensively for its neuroprotective effect against neurological diseases,but its mechanisms of action remains incompletely understood.Here,we established a bilateral common carotid artery occlusion model of vascular dementia in rats and injected the model rats with a suspension of GC（10 mg/kg/day,intraperitoneally）for 14 consecutive days.Immunohistochemistry showed that GC significantly reduced p-tau and amyloid beta（Aβ）immunoreactivity in the hippocampus of the model rats.Proteomic analysis demonstrated upregulation of mitochondrial precursor protein and downregulation of keratin type II cytoskeletal6A after GC treatment compared with model rats that had received saline.Western blot assay confirmed these findings.Our results suggest that the neuroprotective effect of GC in vascular dementia occurs via the promotion of neuronal cytoskeleton regeneration.

Beta-amyloid precursor protein cleavage enzyme-1 expression in adult rat retinal neurons in the early period after lead exposure

Previous studies have reported that non-human primates and rodents exposed to lead during brain development may become dependent on the deposition of pre-determined β-amyloid protein （Aβ）,and exhibit upregulation of β-site amyloid precursor protein expression in old age.However,further evidence is required to elucidate the precise relationship and molecular mechanisms underlying the effects of early lead exposure on excessive Aβ production in adult mammals.The present study investigated the effects of lead exposure on expression of β-amyloid precursor protein cleavage enzyme-1 （BACE-1） in the rat retina and the production of Aβ in early development,using the retina as a window for studying Alzheimer＇s disease.Adult rats were intraocularly injected with different doses of lead acetate （10μmol/L,100μmol/L,1 mmol/L,10 mmol/L and 100 mmol/L）.The results revealed that retinal lead concentration,BACE-1 and its cleavage products β-C-terminal fragment and retina Aβ1-40 were all significantly increased in almost all of the lead exposure groups 48 hours later in a dose-dependent manner.The only exception was the 10μmol/L group.The distribution of BACE-1 in the retina did not exhibit obvious changes,and no distinctive increase in the activation of retinal microglia was apparent.Similarly,retinal synaptophysin expression did not exhibit any clear changes.These data suggest that lead exposure can result in the upregulation of retinal neuron BACE-1 expression in the early period of development and further increase the overproduction of Aβ1-40 in the retina.Our results provided novel insight into the molecular mechanisms underlying environmentally-induced Alzheimer＇s disease.

Amyloid precursor protein and growth-associated protein 43 expression in brain white matter and spinal cord tissues in a rat model of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis

Studies have demonstrated that amyloid precursor protein （APP） expression increases in multiple sclerosis tissues during acutely and chronically active stages. To determine the relationship between axonal injury and regeneration in multiple sclerosis, an animal model of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis was induced using different doses of myelin basic protein peptide. APP and growth-associated protein 43 （GAP-43）, which is considered a specific marker of neural regeneration, were assessed by western blot analysis. Expression of APP and GAP-43, as well as the correlation between these two proteins, in brain white matter and spinal cord tissues of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis rats at different pathological stages was analyzed. Results showed that APP and GAP-43 expression increased during the acute stage and decreased during remission, with a positive correlation between APP and GAP-43 expression in brain white matter and spinal cord tissues. These results suggest that APP and GAP-43 could provide nutritional and protective effects on damaged neurons.

Impact of Sub-chronic Aluminium-maltolate Exposure on Catabolism of Amyloid Precursor Protein in Rats

Objective To investigate the impact of sub-chronic Aluminium-maltolate [Al（mal）s] exposure on the catabolism of amyloid precursor protein （APP） in rats. Methods Forty adult male Sprague-Dawley （SD） rats were randomly divided into five groups： the control group, the maltolate group （7.56 mg/kg BW）, and the Al（mal）s groups （0.27, 0.54, and 1.08 mg/kg BW, respectively）. Control rats were administered with 0.9% normal saline through intraperitoneal （i.p.） injection. Maltolate and Al（mal）s were administered to the rats also through i.p. injections. Administration was conducted daily for two months. Rat neural behavior was examined using open field tests （OFT）. And the protein expressions and their mRNAs transcription related with APP catabolism were studied using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） and real-time polymerase chain reaction （RT-PCR）. Results The expressions of APP, 13-site APP cleaving enzyme 1 （BACEI） and presenilin-1 （PSi） proteins and their mRNAs transcription increased gradually with the increase of Al（mal）3 doses （P〈0.05）. The enzyme activity of BACEI in the 0.54 and 1.08 mg/kg Al（mal）s groups increased significantly （P〈0.05）. The expression of 8-amyloid protein （AS） 1-40 gradually decreased while the protein expression of A81-42 increased gradually with the increase of Al（mal）s doses （P〈0.05）. Conclusion Result from our study suggested that one of the possible mechanisms that Al（mal）s can cause neurotoxicity is that Al（mal）s can increase the generation of A81-42 by facilitating the expressions of APP, β-, and γ-secretase.

Inhibiting p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase attenuates cerebral ischemic injury in Swedish mutant amyloid precursor protein transgenic mice

Cerebral ischemia was induced using photothrombosis 1 hour after intraperitoneal injection of the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase （MAPK） inhibitor $B239063 into Swedish mutant amyloid precursor protein （APP/SWE） transgenic and non-transgenic mice. The number of surviving neurons in the penumbra was quantified using Nissl staining, and the activity of p38 MAPKs was measured by western blotting. The number of surviving neurons in the penumbra was significantly reduced in APP/SWE transgenic mice compared with non-transgenic controls 7 days after cerebral ischemia, but the activity of p38 MAPKs was significantly elevated compared with the non-ischemic hemisphere in the APP/SWE transgenic mice. SB239063 prevented these changes. The APP/SWE mutation exacerbated ischemic brain injury, and this could be alleviated by inhibiting p38 MAPK activity.

Effects of long-term estrogen replacement therapy on beta-amyloid precursor protein and mRNA expression in ovariectomized rat hippocampus

BACKGROUND： In vitro cultures of neural stem cells have shown that estrogen can regulate beta-amyloid precursor protein （β-APP） metabolism and reduce amyloid-beta production. OBJECTIVE： To investigate the effects of long-term oral administration of compound nylestriol or low-dose 17beta-estradiol on β-APP and mRNA expression in the hippocampus of ovariectomized （OVX） rats. DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING： This randomized and controlled experiment was performed at the Animal Laboratory and Laboratory of Endocrine and Metabolic Disease, Xiangya Second Hospital of Central South University between April 2003 and May 2004. MATERIALS： According to body mass, 50 six-month-old female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into five groups （n = 10 per group）： normal control, sham operation, OVX model, 17beta-estradiol （Sigma, USA）, and compound nylestriol tablet （Laboratory of Endocrine and Metabolic Disease, Xiangya Second Hospital of Central South University） groups. METHODS： Rats in OVX plus 17beta-estradiol and OVX plus compound nylestriol tablet groups underwent ovariectomy. On the second day after surgery, rats were intragastrically given 17beta-estradiol （100 μg/kg）, once per day or compound nylestriol tablet （0.5 mg/kg） and levonorgestrel （0.15 mg/kg） every 2 days. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： β-APP expression in the hippocampus of OVX rats was determined using immunohistochemistry （SABC method） and β-APP mRNA expression was analyzed by in situ hybridization. The results were quantitatively analyzed using cell counting and average optical density. RESULTS： The number and optical density of β-APP-positive neurons in every subregion of the hippocampus of OVX rats was dramatically increased compared with normal and sham operation groups following 35 weeks of administration （P 〈 0.05）. Levels of β-APP were decreased following oral administration of compound nylestriol or 17beta-estradiol. In situ hybridization showed that long-term estrogen deficiency and oral administration of compound nylestriol or 17beta-estradiol did not alter the number of β-APP mRNA-positive neurons. CONCLUSION： The results show that long-term estrogen deficiency results in an increase of expression of β-APP though no changes in the expression of β-APP mRNA are detected. Replacement of estrogen with low-dose 17 beta-estradiol or compound nylestriol tablet inhibits the expression of β-APP in the hippocampus to the same extent.

Schisandrin B protects PC12 cells by decreasing the expression of amyloid precursor protein and vacuolar protein sorting 35

PC12 cell injury was induced using 20 μM amyloid β-protein 25-35 to establish a model of Alzheimer＇s disease. The cells were then treated with 5, 10, and 25 μM Schisandrin B. Methylthiazolyldiphenyl-tetrazolium bromide assays and Hoechst 33342 staining results showed that with increasing Schisandrin B concentration, the survival rate of PC12 cells injured by amyloid β-protein 25-35 gradually increased and the rate of apoptosis gradually decreased. Reverse transcription-PCR, immunocytochemical staining and western blot results showed that with increasing Schisandrin B concentration, the mRNA and protein expression of vacuolar protein sorting 35 and amyloid precursor protein were gradually decreased. Vacuolar protein sorting 35 and amyloid precursor protein showed a consistent trend for change. These findings suggest that 5, 10, and 25 μM Schisandrin B antagonizes the cellular injury induced by amyloid β-protein 25-35 in a dose-dependent manner. This may be caused by decreasing the expression of vacuolar protein sorting 35 and amyloid precursor protein.

Expression Characterization and Preparation of Human Amyloid Precursor Protein in Escherichia coli

To analyze whether expressed amyloid precursor protein（APP） existed in hydrophilic（cytoplasmid） or hydrophobic（lipid bilayer） environment in E. coli and to obtain intact APP for study on its function, we investigated the expression characterization and preparation of the three intact isoforms APP770, APP751, and APP695 in E. coll. The results show that these expressed APPs existed both in hydrophilic cytoplasm region as inclusion bodies and hydrophobic membrane region as membrane-bound state in E. coll. APPs in inclusion bodies were purified on an NTA-Ni^2＋ agarose column after dissolving in the urea buffer and APPs in membrane-bound state were obtained by ultracentrifugation. The activity analysis indicates that APP770 and APP751 exhibited strong trypsin-inhibitory activity like the natural ones. These results indicate that E. coli cells can be used as host cells for the expression of human integral membrane protein like APP in either soluble or membrane-bound state unless the interest protein undergone post-translational modification is required.

Mutant amyloid precursor protein and presenilin-1 genes effect on ischemia vulnerability via calcium homeostasis disturbance

BACKGROUND： Previous studies have demonstrated that mutant amyloid precursor protein （APP） or presenilin-1 （PS1） genes increase susceptibility to ischemic brain damage induced by middle cerebral artery occlusion. Possible mechanisms include over-production of beta-amyloid peptide （Aβ）. OBJECTIVE： Because Aβ is over-produced in the APP/PS1 double-transgenic mouse, the present study focused on mechanisms of increased ischemic damage due to mutant APP and PS1 genes by measuring oxidative stress, mitochondrial function, and calcium homeostasis. DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING： The non-randomized, controlled, in vivo and in vitro experiments were performed at the Medical Research Center, Second Clinical College, Jinan University between May and October 2008. MATERIALS： Male APP transgenic mice carrying the mutant 695swe gene and female PS1 transgenic mice carrying the mutant Leu235Pro gene were donated from the University of Hong Kong. SHSY5Y human neureblastoma cells were purchased from ATCC （Manassas, VA, USA）, and Aβ1-42 was obtained from Sigma-Aldrich （St. Louis, MO, USA）. METHODS： APP transgenic mice were mated with PS1 transgenic mice to produce APP/PS1 double-transgenic mice and wildtype littermates mice. The photothrombotic stroke model was induced in six APP/PS1 double-transgenic and 6 wildtype littermates mice. SHSY5Y human neuroblastoma cells were cultured in vitro, and were divided into 4 groups： Aβ group, cells were exposed to 5 pmol/L Aβ for 24 hours; oxygen-glucose deprivation （OGD） group, cells were exposed to OGD for 1 hour after treatment with sterile, ultra-pure water for 24 hours; OGD＋Aβ group, cells were exposed to OGD and Aβfor 1 hour after treatment with 5 pmol/L Aβ for 24 hours; sham control group： cells were exposed to sterile, ultra-pure water for 25 hours. OGD was achieved by exposing the cells to glucose-free DMEM and placing the cells in an anaerobic chamber flushed with 5% CO2 and 95% N2 （v/v） at 37 ℃ for 1 hour. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： TTC staining was used to measure infarct volume 7 days after photothrombotic stroke. Cell viability was evaluated using the MTT kit. Opening of the mitochondrial permeability transition pore, intracellular concentration of superoxide anion, and calcium after OGD were detected with fluorescence intensity of calcein-AM, hydroethidine, and fluo-3/AM. RESULTS： At 7 days after stroke, total infarct volume and cortical infarct volume were significantly greater in the APP/PS1 transgenic mice compared with the wildtype littermates mice （P 〈 0.01）. Aβ, OGD, and Aβ ＋ OGD significantly decreased cell viability and increased fluorescence intensity of hydroethidine and fluo-3/AM （P 〈 0.01）. Compared with the Aβ or OGD group, Aβ ＋ OGD significantly decreased cell viability （P 〈 0.01） and significantly increased fluorescence intensity of calcein-AM, hydroethidine, and fluo-3/AM （P 〈 0.01 or P 〈 0.05）. CONCLUSION： The APP/PS1 double-transgenic mice were more vulnerable to ischemia. The possible mechanisms included enhanced opening of the mitochondrial permeability transition pore, overproduction of superoxide anion due to pore opening, and disturbed calcium homeostasis induced by excess superoxide anion.

Expression of the Capsid Precursor Protein gene of Foot-and-mouth Disease Virus and Green Fluorescent Protein Gene in BHK-21 Cells Mediated by Retroviral Vector

We have constructed a retroviral vector mediated mammalian cell expression system of the capsid precursor protein of foot-and-mouth disease virus(FMDV).The recombinant retroviral vector pBABEpuro-P1-2A-EGFP was constructed by sequentially inserting capsid precursor protein gene(P1) of FMDV and enhanced green fluorescent protein gene(EGFP) into pBABEpuro.The recombinant retroviral vector and the pVSV-G plasmid were co-transfected into packaging cells(GP2-293) by liposomemediated transduction to produce the pseudovirus.The pseudovirus was used to infect BHK-21 cells and resistant cells were screened with puromycin.Green fluorescent proteins were observed by fluorescence microscopy and expression of the capsid precursor protein gene of FMDV was detected by indirect immunofluorescence.The recombinant retroviral vector pBABEpuro-P1-2A-EGFP was constructed successfully.The capsid precursor protein of FMDV and green fluorescent protein were expressed in BHK-21 cells.The mammalian cell expression system for the capsid precursor protein of FMDV has been constructed successfully,which lays the foundation of development of a FMDV subunit vaccine.

Syzygium aromaticum ethanol extract reduces AlCl_3-induced neurotoxicity in mice brain through regulation of amyloid precursor protein and oxidative stress gene expression

Objective: To investigate the neuroprotective effects of Syzygium aromaticum(S.aromaticum)extract(500 mg/kg) on AlCl_3(300 mg/kg)-induced mouse model of oxidative stress and neurotoxicity.Methods: An ethanolic extract of S.aromaticum seeds was prepared and the active compounds were identified using nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy.BALB/c mice were divided into five groups(negative control, AlCl_3-treated, self-recovery, AlCl_3 + S.aromaticum, S.aromaticum only; n=10) and treated with AlCl_3 and S.aromaticum extract.Expression of oxidative markers [Superoxide dismutase 1(SOD1) and peroxiredoxin 6(Prdx6)] and amyloid precursor protein(APP) in the hippocampus and cortex was evaluated via PCR.Histopathological assessment was performed to investigate the extent of neurodegeneration.Results: It was observed that AlCl_3 exposure increased the expression of APP770 while simultaneously down regulated the expression of APP695.AlCl_3 also induced a significant decrease(P<0.05) and an increase(P<0.05) in the expression level of SOD1 and Prdx6, respectively.A substantial decrease substantial(P<0.05) in the density of Nissl substance was also observed in cortex of the mice treated with AlCl_3.Interestingly, treatment with S.aromaticum extract normalized the alterations in the expression level of SOD1, Prdx6 and APPisoforms and improved the neuronal structural damage.Conclusions: The results showed that S.aromaticum is a promising antioxidant and a neuroprotective agent.

Effects of Gingko biloba leaf extract on learning, memory, and hippocampal amyloid precursor protein mRNA expressions in diabetic rats

BACKGROUND： The mechanisms of brain injury Following diabetes could be related to amyloid precursor protein （APP） mRNA overexpression. Studies have shown that Gingko biloba leaf extract （EGb） is effective in promoting functional recovery of the brain after traumatic injury. EGb is also effective in improving central nervous system plasticity and learning and memory functions of the elderly. OBJECTIVE： To study the effects of EGb on learning and memory, as well as hippocampal APP mRNA expression in the brains of diabetic rats, using Morris water maze behavioral testing and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction （RT-PCR）, respectively. DESIGN： Complete random design, controlled experimental study. SETTING： Department of Pharmacology, Pharmaceutical School, Guangxi Medical University. MATERIALS： A total of 70 male Wistar rats （180-220 g）, 8 weeks old and specific pathogen free, were used for this study. GbE （containing 24.8% flavone glycosides and 6.2% diterpene lactone） was purchased from Guilin Sitejia Natural Plants Pharmaceutical Factory （Guangxi Province, Lot NO. 200405）. Streptozotocin was purchased from Sigma （USA）. Protamine zinc insulin injection was purchased from WANBANG Biochemical Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. （Xuzhou Jiangsu, China）. METHODS： The experiment was performed in the Experimental Center of Guangxi Medical University from March to October 2005.（1） Experimental intervention： 70 rats were divided randomly into normal control group, diabetic model group （DM group）, diabetic model ＋10 μ g/kg insulin group （DM ＋ Ins group）, diabetic model ＋ 100 mg/kg ginkgo leaf extract group （DM ＋ EGb high-dose group）, and diabetic model ＋ 50 mg/kg ginkgo leaf extract group （DM ＋ EGb low-dose group）; there were 14 rats in each group. Rats with an intraperitoneal （i.p.） injection of citrate buffer solution （pH 4.4） served as the control group. To establish the diabetes model, rats were treated with i.p. injection of 55 mg/kg streptozotocin. Insulin （10 U/kg） was injected subcutaneously （s.c.） every day for 6 months in the DM group. EGb （100 mg/kg） and EGb （50 mg/kg） was administered intragastrically every day for 6 months in the DM ＋ EGb high-dose group and DM ＋ EGb low-dose group, respectively. The DM group and control group were administered distilled water intragastrically every day for 6 months. Drugs were administered once every morning. （2） Experimental evaluation： Six month after intervention, learning and memory of diabetic rats was tested by Morris water maze. Rats were allowed to train for 4 days, and the escape latency and platform-searching score were measured at days 5 and 8. Changes in hippocampal APP mRNA expression were measured with RT-PCR. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： Morris water maze performances and hippocampal APP mRNA expression in rats. RESULTS： A total of 70 Wistar rats were included in the final analysis, without any loss. （1） Learning and memory dysfunction of diabetic rats： After 4 days of Morris water maze training, escape latency was longer in the DM group on days 5 and 8, and the platform-searching score was lower in the DM group compared to the control group. In the DM ＋ EGb group, the escape latency score was shorter and platform-searching score was significantly increased compared to the DM group. （2） APP mRNA expression： in the hippocampus of diabetic rats, a 340 bp mRNA product was amplified, which is comparable to the APP mRNA amplification length of design. The expression of APP mRNA from the hippocampus of diabetic rats with learning and memory dysfunctions was significantly increased. EGb extract significantly inhibited the APP mRNA expression in these rats. CONCLUSION： EGb not only ameliorated the learning and memory dysfunctions in diabetic rats, but also significantly inhibited APP mRNA expression. Results from this study led to the hypothesis that diabetes could be one of the risk factors for AD.

Effects of amyloid precursor protein peptide APP96-110,alone or with human mesenchymal stromal cells,on recovery after spinal cord injury

Delivery of a peptide(APP96-110),derived from amyloid precursor protein(APP),has been shown to elicit neuroprotective effects following cerebral stroke and traumatic brain injury.In this study,the effect of APP96-110 or a mutant version of this peptide(mAPP96-110)was assessed following moderate(200 kdyn,(2 N))thoracic contusive spinal cord injury(SCI)in adult Nude rats.Animals received a single tail vein injection of APP96-110 or mAPP96-110 at 30 minutes post-SCI and were then assessed for functional improvements over the next 8 weeks.A cohort of animals also received transplants of either viable or non-viable human mesenchymal stromal cells(hMSCs)into the SC lesion site at one week post-injury to assess the effect of combining intravenous APP96-110 delivery with hMSC treatment.Rats were perfused 8 weeks post-SCI and longitudinal sections of spinal cord analyzed for a number of factors including hMSC viability,cyst size,axonal regrowth,glial reactivity and macrophage activation.Analysis of sensorimotor function revealed occasional significant differences between groups using Ladderwalk or Ratwalk tests,however there were no consistent improvements in functional outcome after any of the treatments.mAPP96-110 alone,and APP96-110 in combination with both viable and non-viable hMSCs significantly reduced cyst size compared to SCI alone.Combined treatments with donor hMSCs also significantly increased βIII tubulin^(+),glial fibrillary acidic protein(GFAP^(+))and laminin+expression,and decreased ED1^(+)expression in tissues.This preliminary study demonstrates that intravenous delivery of APP96-110 peptide has selective,modest neuroprotective effects following SCI,which may be enhanced when combined with hMSC transplantation.However,the effects are less pronounced and less consistent compared to the protective morphological and cognitive impact that this same peptide has on neuronal survival and behaviour after stroke and traumatic brain injury.Thus while the efficacy of a particular therapeutic approach in one CNS injury model may provide justification for its use in other neurotrauma models,similar outcomes may not necessarily occur and more targeted approaches suited to location and severity are required.All animal experiments were approved by The University of Western Australia Animal Ethics Committee(RA3/100/1460)on April 12,2016.

Induction of Silencing Effect of Swedish Mutant Amyloid Precursor Protein by RNA interference

Summary： Over-expression of APP and Swedish mutation could cause some familial early onset AD. In this study, a primary screening was conducted of effective small interference RNAs （siRNAs） targeted wild type APP （APPwt） and Swedish mutant APP （APPswe）. One siRNA targeting APPwt and the other siRNA targeting APPswe were designed, All these siRNAs were endogenously expressed by siRNAs expressing plasmids, COS-7 cells were transiently co-transfected with APP-GFP recombinant plasmids and siRNA expression vector, The silencing effect of each siRNA was quantitatively assessed by the level of expression of green fluorescent protein （GFP）. It was found that the siRNAs silenced APPwt and APPswe to different degrees, siRNA directed against APPswe was more effective in suppressing the expression of fusion gene of APPswe than that of APPwt. The silencing effect of siRNA directed against APPswe indicating allele-specific silencing property of the siRNAs. Therefore, siRNAs directed against APP play an important role both in the therapeutic study of Alzheimer disease and functional exploration ofAPP gene.

Targeting amyloid precursor protein shuttling and processing-long before amyloid beta formation

Targeting early steps in amyloid-beta production：Alzheimer’s disease（AD）has a long history as the＂amyloid deposit＂disorder.Many disorders are now known to be caused by proteinβ-sheet misfolding and aggregation（e.g.,Parkinson’s disease：α-synuclein;Huntington’s disease：Huntingtin;

Thrombus precursor protein for monitoring anticoagulation in patients with mechanical valve prosthesis

Objective: To evaluate the plasma concentration of thrombus precursor protein (TPP) in patients after mechanical heart valve replacement, and to explore whether it can be used as a marker for monitoring anticoagulation. Methods: Totally 60 patients who took warfarin after mitral valve replacement and 20 control patients with non-valvular heart diseases were subjected in this study. Their plasma TPP concentration and international normalized ratio (INR) were determined, and compared not only between the anticoagulant patients and the control patients, but also between the patients with atrial fibrillaiton (AF, n=37) and the patients with sinus rhythm (SR, n=23) after mechanical valve replacement. The relationship between plasma TPP concentration and INR in the 60 anticoagulant patients was analyzed with linear regression. Results: It was found that the anticoagulant therapy effectively decreased plasma TPP concentration and elevated INR. In the anticoagulant group, the patients with AF had higher plasma TPP concentration than the others with sinus rhythm (P<0.05), although there was no significant difference in INR level between these 2 groups of patients (P>0.05). No significant correlation was found between plasma TPP concentration and INR in the anticoagulant patients (P>0.05). INR did not accord with plasma TPP concentration in several patients. Conclusion: INR can’t reflect the coagulation status and guide the anticoagulation correctly sometimes; TPP may be a valuable assistant marker for monitoring anticoagulation in patients with mechanical heart valve prothesis; Patients with AF may require higher density of anticoagulation and TPP is strongly suggested to be monitored in these patients.