• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
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• 제26권8호
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• pp.1225-1228
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• 2005

C-terminal fragments of APP (APP-CTs), that contain A$\beta$ sequence, are found in neurotic plaques, neurofibrillary tangles and the cytosol of lymphoblastoid cells obtained from AD patients. CT26, Thr639-Asp664 (TVIVITLVMLKKKQYTSIHH GVVEVD) includes not only the transmembrane domain but also the cytoplasmic domain of APP. This sequence is produced from cleavage of APP by caspase and $\gamma$-secretase. In this study, the solution structure of CT26 was investigated using NMR spectroscopy and circular dichroism (CD) spectropolarimeter in various membrane-mimicking environments. According to CD spectra and the tertiary structure of CT26 determined in TFE-containing aqueous solution, CT26 has an α-helical structure from $Val^{2}\;to\;Lys^{11}$ in TFE-containing aqueous solution. However, according to CD data, CT26 adopts a $\beta$-sheet structure in the SDS micelles and DPC micelles. This result implies that CT26 may have a conformational transition between $\alpha$-helix and $\beta$-sheet structure. This study may provide an insight into the conformational basis of the pathological activity of the C-terminal fragments of APP in the model membrane.

• BMB Reports
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• 제53권1호
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• pp.10-19
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• 2020

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a chronic neurodegenerative disease characterized by the accumulation of amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles in the brain. The AD pathophysiology entails chronic inflammation involving innate immune cells including microglia, astrocytes, and other peripheral blood cells. Inflammatory mediators such as cytokines and complements are also linked to AD pathogenesis. Despite increasing evidence supporting the association between abnormal inflammation and AD, no well-established inflammatory biomarkers are currently available for AD. Since many reports have shown that abnormal inflammation precedes the outbreak of the disease, non-invasive and readily available peripheral inflammatory biomarkers should be considered as possible biomarkers for early diagnosis of AD. In this minireview, we introduce the peripheral biomarker candidates related to abnormal inflammation in AD and discuss their possible molecular mechanisms. Furthermore, we also summarize the current state of inflammatory biomarker research in clinical practice and molecular diagnostics. We believe this review will provide new insights into biomarker candidates for the early diagnosis of AD with systemic relevance to inflammation during AD pathogenesis.

• 대한임상검사과학회지
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• 제38권3호
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• pp.179-183
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• 2006

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is characterised neuropathologically by the accumulation of neuritic plaques and neurofibrillary tangles as well as by cerebrovascular amyloid deposition and neuronal cell loss. Current advances have shown the apolipoproteinE-epsilon 4 (ApoE4) allele to be highly associated with late-onset familial and sporadic Alzheimer's disease (AD) in Western populations. The association of ApoE allele frequencies and dementia remains unknown in populations from many countries. We recently initiated a project to examine ApoE frequencies in non-demented healthy Koreans. Genomic DNA in hair root from a thousand persons was collected and ApoE gene type was investigated with the methods of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and restriction fragment length polymorphism. A group of a thousand non-demented Koreans over the age of 40 years were found to be positive in 15.7% of the cases for ApoE4. AD and ApoE4 were closely related. ApoE epsilon 4 was a dangerous factor of AD and ApoE 4 allele made a contribution to the heterogenicity of AD.

• Toxicological Research
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• 제17권
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• pp.47-57
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• 2001

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common cause of dementia in the elderly, and its pathology is characterized by the presence of numerous numbers of senile plaques and neurofibrillary tangles. Several genetic and transgenic studies have indicated that excess amount of $\beta$-amyloid protein (A$\beta$) is produced by mutations of $\beta$TEX>$\beta$-amyloid precursor protein and causes learning impairment. Moreover, $A\beta$ has a toxic effect on cultured nerve cells. To prepare AD model animals, we have examined continuous (2 weeks) infusion of $A\beta$ into the cerebral ventricle of rats. Continuous infusion of $A\beta$ induces learning impairment in water maze and passive avoidance tasks, and decreases choline acetyltransferase activity in the frontal cortex and hippocampus. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed diffuse depositions of $A\beta$ in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus around the ventricle. Furthermore, the nicotine-evoked release of acetylcholine and dopamine in the frontal cortex/hippocampus and striatum, respectively, is decreased in the $A\beta$-infused group. Perfusion of nicotine (50 $\mu\textrm{M}$) reduced the amplitude of electrically evoked population spikes in the CA1 pyramidal cells of the control group, but not in those of the $A\beta$-infused group, suggesting the impairment of nicotinic signaling in the $A\beta$-infused group. In fact, Kd, but not Bmax, values for ［$^3H$］ cytisine binding in the hippocampus significantly increased in the $A\beta$-infused rats. suggesting the decrease in affinity of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. Long-term potentiation (LTP) induced by tetanic stimulations in CA1 pyramidal cells, which is thought to be an essential mechanism underlying learning and memory, was readily observed in the control group, whereas it was impaired in the $A\beta$-infused group. Taken together, these results suggest that $A\beta$ infusion impairs the signal transduction mechanisms via nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. This dysfunction may be responsible, at least in part, for the impairment of LTP induction and may lead to learning and memory impairment. We also found the reduction of glutathione- and Mn-superoxide dismutase-like immunoreactivity in the brains of $A\beta$-infused rats. Administration of antioxidants or nootropics alleviated learning and memory impairment induced by $A\beta$ infusion. We believe that investigation of currently available transgenic and non-transgenic animal models for AD will help to clarify the pathogenic mechanisms and allow assessment of new therapeutic strategies.

• 대한한의학회지
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• 제27권2호
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• pp.122-133
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• 2006

Objectives : The amyloid $\beta$-protein ($A\beta$) is the principal component of the senile plaques characteristic of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and elicits a toxic effect on neurons in vitro and in vivo. Many environmental factors including antioxidants and proteoglycans modify $A{\beta}toxicity$. In this study, we have investigated the protective effects of water- and organic solvent-extracts of Hemerocallis fulva root fractions pre-extracted with methanol on $A\beta$-induced oxidative cell death in cultured rat pheochromocytoma (PC12) cells. Methods : For this study, we used MTT reduction assay for detection of protective effects of water- and organic solvent-extracts of Hemerocallis fulva root fractions pre-extracted with methanol on $A{\beta}_{25-35}$-induced cytotoxicity to PC12 cells. We also used cell-based $\beta$-secretase assay system to investigate the inhibitory effect of water- and organic solvent-extracts of Hemerocallis fulva root on $\beta$-secretase activity. Results : We previously reported that methanol extracts of Hemerocallis fulva root strongly attenuated cytotoxicity induced by the three $A\beta$ fragments ($A{\beta}_{25-35},\;A{\beta}_{1-42}\;A{\beta}_{1-43}$) to both SK-N-MC and PC12 cells. In the present study, we found that butanol-, ethylacetate-, chloroform-, and water-extracts of Hemerocallis fulva root fractions pre-extracted with methanol had strong protective effects against $A{\beta}_{25-35}$-induced cytotoxicity to PC12 cells and inhibitory potency to $\beta$-secretase activity. Conclusion : These results suggest that butanol-, ethylacetate-, chloroform-, and water-extracts of Hemerocallis fulva root fractions pre-extracted with methanol may contain the protective component(s) against $A\beta$-induced cell death in PC12 cells as well as inhibitory component(s) to $\beta$-secretase activity.

• 대한임상검사과학회지
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• 제52권3호
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• pp.253-260
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• 2020

알츠하이머 병은 인지 기능 저하로 인한 치매 발생으로 설명할 수 있는 만성 및 진행성 신경 퇴행성 질환이다. 알츠하이머 병의 특징은 세포 외 및 세포 내 아밀로이드 플라크의 형성이다. 아밀로이드 베타는 알츠하이머 병의 특징이며 미세아교세포는 아밀로이드 베타의 존재하에 활성화될 수 있다. 활성화된 미세아교세포는 전 염증성 사이토카인을 분비한다. 게다가, S100A9는 염증의 중요한 선천성 전 염증 기여자이며 알츠하이머 병에 잠재적인 기여자로 알려져 있다. 이 연구는 아밀로이드 베타 및 S100A9이 처리된 BV-2 세포에서 염증반응 및 NLRP3 인플라마솜 활성화에 대한 메트포르민 및 알파리포산의 효과를 조사했다. 메트포르민과 알파-리포산은 종양 괴사 인자-알파 및 일터루킨-6와 같은 염증성 사이토카인을 약화시킨다. 또한 메트포르민과 알파-리포산은 JNK, ERK, p38의 인산화를 억제하고, NF-kB 경로 및 NLRP3 인플라마솜의 활성화를 억제했다. 또한 메트포르민과 알파-리포산은 M1 표현형인 ICAM1의 수준을 감소시킨 반면 M2 표현형인 ARG1은 증가시켰다. 이러한 발견은 메트포르민과 알파-리포산이 아밀로이드베타 및 S100A9에 의한 신경 염증 반응에 대한 치료제가 될 수 있음을 시사한다.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제47권2호
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• pp.302-310
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• 2023

Background: The most common type of dementia, Alzheimer's disease (AD), is marked by the formation of extracellular amyloid beta (Aβ) plaques. The impairments of axons and synapses appear in the process of Aβ plaques formation, and this damage could cause neurodegeneration. We previously reported that non-saponin fraction with rich polysaccharide (NFP) from Korean Red Ginseng (KRG) showed neuroprotective effects in AD. However, precise molecular mechanism of the therapeutic effects of NFP from KRG in AD still remains elusive. Methods: To investigate the therapeutic mechanisms of NFP from KRG on AD, we conducted proteomic analysis for frontal cortex from vehicle-treated wild-type, vehicle-treated 5XFAD mice, and NFP-treated 5XFAD mice by using nano-LC-ESI-MS/MS. Metabolic network analysis was additionally performed as the effects of NFP appeared to be associated with metabolism according to the proteome analysis. Results: Starting from 5,470 proteins, 2,636 proteins were selected for hierarchical clustering analysis, and finally 111 proteins were further selected for protein-protein interaction network analysis. A series of these analyses revealed that proteins associated with synapse and mitochondria might be linked to the therapeutic mechanism of NFP. Subsequent metabolic network analysis via genome-scale metabolic models that represent the three mouse groups showed that there were significant changes in metabolic fluxes of mitochondrial carnitine shuttle pathway and mitochondrial beta-oxidation of polyunsaturated fatty acids. Conclusion: Our results suggested that the therapeutic effects of NFP on AD were associated with synaptic- and mitochondrial-related pathways, and they provided targets for further rigorous studies on precise understanding of the molecular mechanism of NFP.

• 한국광학회지
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• 제33권6호
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• pp.331-337
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• 2022

비탄성적 산란에 의한 빛의 방출 현상을 이용한 라만 분광법 기술은 무표지 방식으로 분자를 식별하는 기술로 바이오 의학 및 재료 산업에 이르기까지 다양한 분야에서 연구되고 있다. 광프로브 기반 라만 분광기는 국소 부위의 화학 분석을 최소 침습 방식으로 측정할 수 있어 수술 중 실시간 진단 기술로 적용할 수 있는 가능성을 내포하고 있다. 본 연구에서는 화학 물질의 농도별 변화에 따른 라만 신호의 변화를 살펴보아 라만 실험 장치의 캘리브레이션을 진행하였으며, 정상 쥐와 아밀로이드 베타 플라크가 축적된 5xFAD 치매성 돌연변이 모델의 대뇌 조직을 대상으로 라만 신호 특성을 측정 및 비교 분석하여 알츠하이머씨 병의 진단을 위한 가능성을 탐구하였다. 또한 대표적인 치매 원인 물질인 아밀로이드 베타에 대한 라만 신호 측정을 병행하여 치매 진단에 대한 적용을 교차 검증하였다. 본 라만 분광법 연구를 통해 치매 진단에 있어 기존문진 검사 및 뇌 영상 진단을 대체하여 정밀하게 판별할 수 있는 하나의 진단 지표로서의 가능성을 보았으며, 추후 뇌신경계뿐만 아니라 인체의 다양한 장기 및 질병에 적용시켜 물리·공학·화학 등 다양한 연구분야에서의 원천기술로 활용될 수 있을 것으로 생각된다.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제29권2호
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• pp.173-180
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• 2019

Amyloid ${\beta}$-단백질($A{\beta}$)은 알츠하이머 질병의 특징인 노인성 반점의 주요 성분이며 in vivo와 in vitro에서 신경세포를 대상으로 독성효과를 유발한다. 항산화물질과 프로테오글리칸을 포함한 많은 환경인자들에는 $A{\beta}$의 독성을 완화하는 물질들이 존재한다. 특히, 천연물질들 중에서 자신은 독성이 없으며, 알츠하이머 환자에게 치료효능을 나타내는 천연화합물들을 순수 분리하는 것은 매우 가치가 있다. 본 연구에서는 소엽맥문동의 메탄올 추출물로부터 에틸아세테이트 유기용매로 분획한 물질(OJEA)을 대상으로 in vitro상에서 신경세포독성 제어효능을 탐색하였다. 본 실험을 위해 PC12 세포주에 $A{\beta}_{25-35}$로 유발한 독성에 대한 OJEA 분획물의 억제효능을 MTT 환원법 분석으로 측정하였으며, ${\beta}$-secretase 활성에 대한 OJEA 분획물의 억제효능을 세포기반 ${\beta}$-secretase assay system으로 측정하였다. 또한 PC12 세포에서 $A{\beta}_{25-35}$에 의해 유도된 산화적 스트레스에 대한 OJEA 분획물의 억제효과를 지질과산화 분석법으로 수행하였다. 본 연구의 결과는 OJEA 분획물이 PC12 세포에서 $A{\beta}_{25-35}$에 의해 유도된 세포독성을 강하게 예방 또는 억제하는 효과가 있음을 확인하였으며, 또한 ${\beta}$-secretase의 활성을 억제함으로써 $A{\beta}$의 생성을 완화하는 효과를 예상할 수 있었다. OJEA 분획물은 또한 PC12 세포에서 $A{\beta}_{25-35}$에의 노출에 의하여 유도되는 malondialdehyde (MDA)의 생성을 강하게 억제하였다. 결론적으로, 본 연구의 결과에 의하면 OJEA 분획물에는 $A{\beta}$ 독성에 대한 신경세포의 보호효능을 함유하는 생리활성물질이 함유되어 있음을 제시한다.

• 생약학회지
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• 제50권4호
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• pp.253-259
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• 2019

Chaenomeles speciose Nakai (CSP) or Chaenomeles sinensis Koehne (CSS) (Rosaceae) has been used, traditionally, to treat muscle problems and gastric dampness in eastern Asia countries. Therefore, many studies have focused on investigating its active compounds and effects on muscle pain, arthritis and gastro-intestinal diseases. Recently, several studies reported that CSS extract degrade amyloid plaques and enhance synaptic acetylcholine level in vivo and in vitro. Although these two Chaenomeles species are used without differences, CSP is reported to contains more phenolic compounds which are known to enhance memory. Therefore, in this study, we investigated the memory ameliorating effects of CSP by employing the passive avoidance test, Y-maze task and novel object recognition test. CSP (30 or 100 mg/kg) ameliorated the declined memory induced by scopolamine injection and enhanced the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels along with post synaptic density protein 95 (PSD 95) levels at the hippocampus of the scopolamine-injected mouse brain. These results suggested that CSP alleviates the cognition declines caused by cholinergic blockade via enhancing BDNF levels and PSD 95, and that it would enhance memory formation and be useful for treating memory declines.