Beta-amyloid controls altered Reelin expression and processing in Alzheimer's disease

Neurobiol Dis. 2010 Mar;37(3):682-91. doi: 10.1016/j.nbd.2009.12.006. Epub 2009 Dec 16.

Abstract

Reelin is a glycoprotein that modulates synaptic function and plasticity in the mature brain, thereby favouring memory formation. We recently reported altered cerebral Reelin expression in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Here we demonstrate pronounced Reelin changes at protein and mRNA levels in the frontal cortex in adult Down's syndrome (DS), where the extra copy of chromosome 21 leads to overexpression of beta-amyloid. In cortical extracts of fetal DS samples we detected increased levels of the full-length Reelin and the 310-kDa fragment. Overexpression of mutant human amyloid precursor protein also led to an increase in levels of Reelin fragments in Tg2576 transgenic mice for human beta-amyloid. Finally, in vitro Abeta42 treatment of SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells led to increased Reelin levels. An altered pattern of Reelin glycosylation was detected in extracts from the frontal cortex of AD patients and in Abeta42-treated SH-SY5Y cells, supporting the notion that beta-amyloid triggers altered Reelin processing. These results provide evidence that Reelin expression and processing is altered in several amyloid conditions.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Alzheimer Disease / genetics
  • Alzheimer Disease / metabolism*
  • Alzheimer Disease / physiopathology
  • Amyloid beta-Peptides / genetics
  • Amyloid beta-Peptides / metabolism*
  • Amyloid beta-Protein Precursor / genetics
  • Amyloid beta-Protein Precursor / metabolism
  • Animals
  • Brain / metabolism*
  • Brain / physiopathology
  • Cell Adhesion Molecules, Neuronal / genetics
  • Cell Adhesion Molecules, Neuronal / metabolism*
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Chromosomes, Human, Pair 21 / genetics
  • Down Syndrome / genetics
  • Down Syndrome / metabolism
  • Down Syndrome / physiopathology
  • Extracellular Matrix Proteins / genetics
  • Extracellular Matrix Proteins / metabolism*
  • Female
  • Fetus
  • Gene Expression Regulation / physiology
  • Glycosylation
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Middle Aged
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / genetics
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / metabolism*
  • Neuronal Plasticity / genetics
  • Plaque, Amyloid / genetics
  • Plaque, Amyloid / metabolism
  • Plaque, Amyloid / pathology
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism
  • Reelin Protein
  • Serine Endopeptidases / genetics
  • Serine Endopeptidases / metabolism*
  • Synapses / metabolism
  • Up-Regulation / genetics

Substances

  • Amyloid beta-Peptides
  • Amyloid beta-Protein Precursor
  • Cell Adhesion Molecules, Neuronal
  • Extracellular Matrix Proteins
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Reelin Protein
  • RELN protein, human
  • Reln protein, mouse
  • Serine Endopeptidases