Hyperphosphorylation and accumulation of neurofilament proteins in transgenic mice with Alzheimer presenilin 1 mutation

Cell Mol Neurobiol. 2009 Jun;29(4):497-501. doi: 10.1007/s10571-008-9341-7. Epub 2009 Jan 10.

Abstract

Neurofilaments (NFs) are hyperphosphorylated and accumulate in Alzheimer's disease (AD) brains. In this study, employing the transgenic mouse model, we explored the effect of presenilin 1 (PS-1) mutation on the phosphorylation and distribution of NFs. Western blot analysis showed that there was a significant increase in the phosphorylation of NF-H and NF-M subunits with a concomitant increase in phosphorylated c-Jun N-terminal protein kinase 1/2 (JNK1/2) mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) in hippocampus of PS-1 transgenic mice compared to that of wild-type littermates. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed that phosphorylated NFs accumulated throughout the hippocampal neurons of the transgenic mice. These findings suggest that PS-1 mutation may induce hyperphosphorylation and accumulation of NFs via a JNK1/2-involved mechanism.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Alzheimer Disease / genetics*
  • Alzheimer Disease / metabolism
  • Animals
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases / metabolism
  • Hippocampus / cytology
  • Hippocampus / metabolism
  • JNK Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / metabolism
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Transgenic*
  • Neurofilament Proteins / genetics
  • Neurofilament Proteins / metabolism*
  • Phosphorylation
  • Presenilin-1 / genetics*
  • Presenilin-1 / metabolism

Substances

  • Neurofilament Proteins
  • Presenilin-1
  • Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases
  • JNK Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases