Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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Query: UMLS:C0027819 (neuroblastoma)
27,800 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Most contemporary progress in Alzheimer's disease (AD) stems from the study of a 42 43 amino acid peptide. called the amyloid beta protein (Abeta), as the main neuropathologic marker of the disorder. It has been demonstrated that Abeta has neurotoxic properties and that such effects are mediated by free-radicals. Exposure of neuronal cells to Abeta results in a spectrum of oxidative lesions that are profoundly harmful to neuronal homeostasis. We had previously shown that Abeta25-35 induces oxidative damage to mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and that this modality of injury is prevented by melatonin. Because Abeta25 35 does not occur in AD and because the mode of toxicity by Abeta25-35 may be different from that of Abeta1-42 (the physiologically relevant form of Abeta), we extended our initial observations to determine whether oxidative damage to mtDNA could also be induced by Abeta1-42 and whether this type of injury is prevented by melatonin. Exposure of human neuroblastoma cells to Abeta1-42 resulted in marked oxidative damage to mtDNA as determined by a quantitative polymerase chain reaction method. Addition of melatonin to cell cultures along with Abeta completely prevented the damage. This study supports previous findings with Abeta25-35, including a causative role for Abeta in the mitochondrial oxidative lesions present in AD brains. Most important, the data confirms the neuroprotective role of melatonin in Abeta-mediated oxidative injury. Because melatonin also inhibits amyloid aggregation, lacks toxicity, and efficiently crosses the blood-brain barrier, this hormone appears superior to other available antioxidants as a candidate for pharmacologic intervention in AD.
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PMID:Alzheimer beta protein mediated oxidative damage of mitochondrial DNA: prevention by melatonin. 1055 70

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is characterized by the massive deposition in the brain of the 40-42-residue amyloid beta protein (A(beta)). While A(beta)1-40 predominates in the vascular system, A(beta)1-42 is the major component of the senile plaques in the neuropil. The concentration of both A(beta) species required to form amyloid fibrils in vitro is micromolar, yet soluble A(betas) found in normal and AD brains are in the low nanomolar range. It has been recently proposed that the levels of A(beta) sufficient to trigger amyloidogenesis may be reached intracellularly. To study the internalization and intracellular accumulation of the major isoforms of A(beta), we used THP-1 and IMR-32 neuroblastoma cells as models of human monocytic and/or macrophagic and neuronal lineages, respectively. We tested whether these cells were able to internalize and accumulate 125I-A(beta)1-40 and 125I-A(beta)1-42 differentially when offered at nanomolar concentrations and free of large aggregates, conditions that mimic a prefibrillar stage of A(beta) in AD brain. Our results showed that THP-1 monocytic cells internalized at least 10 times more 125I-A(betas) than IMR-32 neuroblastoma cells, either isolated or in a coculture system. Moreover, 125I-A(beta)1-42 presented a higher adsorption, internalization, and accumulation of undigested peptide inside cells, as opposed to 125I-A(beta)1-40. These results support that A(beta)1-42, the major pathogenic form in AD, may reach supersaturation and generate competent nuclei for amyloid fibril formation intracellularly. In light of the recently reported strong neurotoxicity of soluble, nonfibrillar A(beta)1-42, we propose that intracellular amyloidogenesis in microglia is a protective mechanism that may delay neurodegeneration at early stages of the disease.
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PMID:Differential accumulation of soluble amyloid beta peptides 1-40 and 1-42 in human monocytic and neuroblastoma cell lines. Implications for cerebral amyloidogenesis. 1057 Nov 11

One of the hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease is the accumulation of senile plaques in brain, extracellular lesions comprised mostly of aggregates of the amyloid beta-peptide (Abeta). Abeta is proteolytically derived from the Alzheimer's amyloid precursor protein (APP). The generation of Abeta and nonamyloidogenic derivatives of APP involves utilization of alternative processing pathways and multiple subcellular compartments. To improve our understanding of the regulation of APP processing, we investigated the effects of wortmannin, a phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3-kinase) inhibitor, on APP processing. PI3-kinases form a multifaceted family of enzymes that represent converging points for multiple signal transduction pathways and also act as key regulators of vesicular trafficking. In N2a neuroblastoma cells expressing either wild-type APP or the "Swedish" familial Alzheimer's disease-associated mutant variant of APP, wortmannin treatment resulted in decreased release of both Abeta and soluble APPalpha. In parallel, full-length APP and both processed derivatives accumulated inside the cells. These effects were not present at nanomolar concentrations of wortmannin, but only at micromolar concentrations, implying the possible involvement of a recently described trans-Golgi network (TGN)-associated PI3-kinase that is resistant to nanomolar concentrations of the inhibitor, but sensitive to micromolar concentrations. All effects were reversible when the drug was removed from the cell culture medium. Given the suspected site of action of this novel PI3-kinase activity at the TGN, it is tempting to speculate that the unexpected increase in the levels of both intracellular soluble APPalpha and intracellular Abeta might be due to wortmannin-induced covesiculation of APP together with its respective secretase enzymes within the TGN, leading to the execution of alpha-, beta-, and gamma-secretase reactions.
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PMID:The phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase inhibitor wortmannin alters the metabolism of the Alzheimer's amyloid precursor protein. 1058 89

Complement activation products C1q, C4c/d, and C3c/d in amyloid plaques in Alzheimer's disease probably result from direct binding and activation of C1 by amyloid beta peptides. RT-PCR and in situ hybridization studies have shown that several complement factors are produced in the brain parenchyma. In the present study, cytokines that can be detected in amyloid plaques (i.e., interleukin (IL)-1, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha) were found to differentially stimulate the expression of C1 subcomponents, C1-Inhibitor (C1-Inh), C4, and C3, by astrocyte and microglial cell cultures derived from postmortem adult, human brain specimens and by neuroblastoma cell lines in culture. C1r and C1s were secreted at low levels by astrocytes and neuroblastoma cell lines. Exposure of cells to IL-1 alpha, IL-1 beta, TNF-alpha and to a far lesser extent IL-6, markedly upregulated C1r, C1s, and C3 production. C4 synthesis increased in response to interferon (IFN)-gamma and IL-6, whereas that of C1-Inh could be stimulated only by IFN-gamma. Thus, C1-Inh production is refractory to stimulation by plaque-associated cytokines, whereas these cytokines do stimulate C1r, C1s, and also C4 and C3 secretion by astrocytes and neuronal cells in culture. In contrast to the amyloid plaque associated cytokines IL-1 beta, IL-1 alpha, and TNF-alpha, the amyloid peptide A beta 1-42 itself did not stimulate C1r and C1s synthesis by astrocytes, microglial cells, or neuroblastoma cell lines. Microglial cells were the only cell type that constitutively expressed C1q. The ability of C1q to reassociate with newly formed C1r and C1s upon activation of C1 and subsequent inactivation by C1-Inh, may enable ongoing complement activation at sites of amyloid deposition, especially when C1-Inh is consumed and not replaced.
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PMID:Cytokines associated with amyloid plaques in Alzheimer's disease brain stimulate human glial and neuronal cell cultures to secrete early complement proteins, but not C1-inhibitor. 1063 Feb 13

Mutations in the presenilin 1 (PS1) gene are associated with autosomal dominant, early-onset, familial Alzheimer's disease and result in increased release of the hyperaggregatable 42-amino acid form of the amyloid beta-peptide (A(beta)42). To determine which subcellular compartments are potential source(s) of released Abeta42, we compared the levels and spatial segregation of intracellular A(beta)40 and A(beta)42 peptides between N2a neuroblastoma cells doubly transfected with the "Swedish" familial Alzheimer's disease-linked amyloid precursor protein variant and either wild-type PS1 (PS1(wt)) or familial Alzheimer's disease-linked delta9 mutant PS1 (PS1delta9). As expected, PS1delta9-expressing cells had dramatically higher levels of intracellular Abeta42 than did cells expressing PS1wt. However, the highest levels of A(beta)42 colocalized not with endoplasmic reticulum or Golgi markers but with rab8, a marker for trans-Golgi network (TGN)-to-plasma membrane (PM) transport vesicles. We show that PS1 mutants are capable of causing accumulation of A(beta)42 in late compartments of the secretory pathway, generating there a readily releasable source of A(beta)42. Our findings indicate that PS1 "bioactivity" localizes to the vicinity of the TGN and/or PM and reconcile the apparent discrepancy between the preponderant concentration of PS1 protein in proximal compartments of the secretory pathway and the recent findings that PS1 "bioactivity" can control gamma-secretase-like processing of another transmembrane substrate, Notch, at or near the PM.
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PMID:Mutant presenilin 1 increases the levels of Alzheimer amyloid beta-peptide Abeta42 in late compartments of the constitutive secretory pathway. 1080 Sep 30

Cyclooxygenase (COX) synthesizes bioactive prostaglandins from arachidonic acid, and there are COX-1 and COX-2 isoforms with distinct pathophysiological functions. Recent studies demonstrated that COX-2 expression was up-regulated in the brain of patients with Alzheimer's disease. We established mouse neuroblastoma x rat glioma hybrid NG108-15 cells stably expressing human COX-2. The COX-2-expressing cells showed 3- to 4-fold increases in both COX activity and prostaglandin E(2) production. The mRNA level of amyloid precursor protein (APP) was elevated by approximately 2-fold in the COX-2-expressing cells compared with mock-transfected cells. Amyloid beta-peptide and a secreted form of APP, both derived from APP by proteolysis was also increased. Interestingly, neurite outgrowth was stimulated in the COX-2-expressing cells with concomitant reduction of the cell proliferation rate. A selective COX-2 inhibitor (JTE-522) and a nonselective COX inhibitor (indomethacin) suppressed production of amyloid beta-peptide and a secreted form of APP by inhibition of APP mRNA level, suggesting that COX-2 plays important roles in the neurodegenerative processes of Alzheimer's disease.
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PMID:Cyclooxygenase-2 stimulates production of amyloid beta-peptide in neuroblastoma x glioma hybrid NG108-15 cells. 1118 Oct 73

The neuropathology of Alzheimer's disease (AD) is characterized by extensive deposition of the toxic amyloid beta peptide (A beta) in selected regions of the brain and brain vasculature (Selkoe, 1999). Thus, lowering the levels of A beta may be beneficial for AD patients. A beta is a proteolytic fragment derived from the amyloid precursor protein (APP). The mechanisms of A beta formation from its precursor have been studied extensively; however, considerably less effort has been invested into studying A beta clearance. We find that the degradation of A beta in our system is dependent upon the presence of a metallopeptidase E.C.3.4.24.15 (MP24.15) (Yamin et al., 1999). We have previously purified MP24.15 to homogeneity from AD brain and identified it as an APP-processing protease in vitro (Papastoitsis, 1994). To confirm its role in cell culture, we transfected SKNMC neuroblastoma cells with sense and antisense cDNAs of MP24.15 and with a mock construct. Compared to mock conditioned media (CM), CM of MP24.15-overexpressing cells had very high A beta-degrading activity. Conversely, CM of antisense-expressing cells lacked A beta-degrading activity. These results suggested that MP24.15 is involved in A beta degradation. Characterization of the proteolytic activity directly responsible for A beta degradation using a spectrum of protease inhibitors revealed that only serine protease inhibitors completely blocked A beta degradation. Therefore, MP24.15 appears to activate a serine protease, which then cleaves A beta. Interestingly, alpha 1-antichymotrypsin (ACT) which we discovered to be highly elevated in AD brain (Abraham, et al., 1988) also inhibited A beta degradation. To our delight, ACT proved to be an inhibitor of A beta degradation in vivo as well. When we crossed transgenic mice expressing human ACT with plaque-producing mice expressing human APP, the doubly transgenic mice had twice as many plaques at 20 months of age as the APP mice (Mucke et al., 2000). Successful completion of this study could lead to the design of reagents that would reduce the amyloid load in AD patients.
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PMID:Alpha 1-antichymotrypsin inhibits A beta degradation in vitro and in vivo. 1119 58

Epidemiological studies suggest that non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) lower the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease (AD). Most NSAIDs act upon local inflammatory events by inhibiting the expression or activation of cylooxygenase (COX). In the present study the expression of COX-1 and COX-2 in AD and non-demented control temporal and frontal cortex was investigated using immunohistochemistry. COX-1 expression was detected in microglial cells, while COX-2 expression was found in neuronal cells. In AD brains, COX-1-positive microglial cells were primarily associated with amyloid beta plaques, while the number of COX-2-positive neurons was increased compared to that in control brains. No COX expression was detected in astrocytes. In vitro, primary human microglial and astrocyte cultures, and human neuroblastoma cells (SK-N-SH) were found to secrete prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), especially when stimulated. PGE2 synthesis by astrocytes and SK-N-SH cells was stimulated by interleukin-1beta. Microglial cell PGE2 synthesis was stimulated by lipopolysaccharide only. Although astrocytes are used in studies in vitro to investigate the role of COX in AD, there are no indications that these cells express COX-1 or COX-2 in vivo. The different distribution patterns of COX-1 and COX-2 in AD could implicate that these enzymes are involved in different cellular processes in the pathogenesis of AD.
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PMID:Cyclooxygenase expression in microglia and neurons in Alzheimer's disease and control brain. 1119 36

The extracellular deposition of amyloid beta-peptide (Abeta) in the form of cerebrovascular amyloid and extracellular plaques is one of the major neuropathological manifestations of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Abeta is generated proteolytically from the large beta-amyloid precursor protein (APP). APP is cleaved by a group of proteases called "secretase" to generate soluble derivatives of APP (sAPP), which are secreted in human plasma, CSF and cultured cells. Neurochemically, there is a severe loss of cholinergic neurons and a decreased synthesis of acetylcholine in neocortex in AD. Current approved AD drugs, such as aricept and tacrine, are based on the use of cholinesterase inhibitors (ChEIs) and have been reported to improve memory deficits and cognitive decline in some patients with AD. To compare the effects of ChEIs on APP processing, we have tested a series of ChEIs such as tacrine, physostigmine, metrifonate, phenserine and cymserine in cultured human neuroblastoma cells. We analyzed levels of sAPP by immunochemical techniques with APP-specific antibodies and assayed levels of Abeta by a sensitive sandwich ELISA. Based on these results, ChEIs can be divided into three groups: the first group of ChEIs had no effect on sAPP secretion, the second decreased the sAPP secretion only, and third group affected the secretion of sAPP and Abeta. The difference in the action of metrifonate, physostigmine, phenserine and tacrine on APP processing is independent of their selectivity for the cholinesterase enzymes. This possibly is due to the different targets that are used by ChEIs. Studying the effects of ChEIs on different targets is useful to maximize the benefit of ChEIs for the treatment of AD subjects.
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PMID:Cholinesterase inhibitors, beta-amyloid precursor protein and amyloid beta-peptides in Alzheimer's disease. 1127 93

Glutathione-S-transferases (GSTs) are a superfamily of enzymes that function to catalyze the nucleophilic attack of glutathione on electrophilic groups of a second substrate. GSTs are present in many organs and have been implicated in the detoxification of endogenous alpha, beta unsaturated aldehydes, including 4-hydroxynonenal (HNE). Exogenous GST protects hippocampal neurons against HNE in culture. To test the hypothesis that overexpression of GST in cells would increase resistance to exogenous or endogenous HNE induced by oxidative stress, stable transfectants of SY5Y neuroblastoma cells with GST were established. Stable GST transfectants demonstrated enzyme activities 13.7 times (Clone 1) and 30 times (Clone 2) higher than cells transfected with vector alone. GST transfectants (both Clones 1 and 2) demonstrated significantly (p <.05) increased resistance to ferrous sulfate/hydrogen peroxide (20.9% for Clone 1; 46.5% for Clone 2), amyloid beta-peptide (12.2% for Clone 1; 27.5.% for Clone 2), and peroxynitrite (24.3% for Clone 1; 43.9% for Clone 2), but not to exogenous application of HNE in culture medium. GST transfectants treated with 1,1,4-tris (acetyloxy)nonane, a nontoxic derivative of HNE that is degraded to HNE intracellularly, demonstrated a statistically significant (p <.05) increase in viability in a dose-dependent manner compared with SY5Y cells transfected with vector alone. These results suggest that overexpression of GST increases resistance to endogenous HNE induced by oxidative stress or released in the degradation of 1,1,4-tris (acetyloxy)nonane, but not to exogenous application of HNE.
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PMID:Expression of glutathione-S-transferase isozyme in the SY5Y neuroblastoma cell line increases resistance to oxidative stress. 1142 92


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