Growth arrest-specific 1 binds to and controls the maturation and processing of the amyloid-beta precursor protein

Hum Mol Genet. 2011 May 15;20(10):2026-36. doi: 10.1093/hmg/ddr085. Epub 2011 Feb 28.

Abstract

Alzheimer's disease (AD), the most common neurodegenerative disorder, is characterized by cerebral deposition of amyloid-β (Aβ), a series of peptides derived from the processing of the amyloid-β precursor protein (APP). To identify new candidate genes for AD, we recently performed a transcriptome analysis to screen for genes preferentially expressed in the hippocampus and located in AD linkage regions. This strategy identified CALHM1 (calcium homeostasis modulator 1), a gene modulating AD age at onset and Aβ metabolism. Here, we focused our attention on another candidate identified using this screen, growth arrest-specific 1 (Gas1), a gene involved in the central nervous system development. We found that Gas1 formed a complex with APP and controlled APP maturation and processing. Gas1 expression inhibited APP full glycosylation and routing to the cell surface by leading to a trafficking blockade of APP between the endoplasmic reticulum and the Golgi. Gas1 expression also resulted in a robust inhibition of APP transport into multivesicular bodies, further demonstrating that Gas1 negatively regulated APP intracellular trafficking. Consequently, Gas1 overexpression led to a reduction in Aβ production, and conversely, Gas1 silencing in cells expressing endogenously Gas1 increased Aβ levels. These results suggest that Gas1 is a novel APP-interacting protein involved in the control of APP maturation and processing.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Alzheimer Disease / genetics
  • Alzheimer Disease / metabolism
  • Amyloid beta-Protein Precursor / metabolism*
  • Animals
  • Cell Cycle Proteins / genetics
  • Cell Cycle Proteins / metabolism*
  • Cell Line
  • Endoplasmic Reticulum / metabolism
  • Female
  • GPI-Linked Proteins / genetics
  • GPI-Linked Proteins / metabolism
  • Gene Order
  • Genetic Predisposition to Disease / genetics
  • Glycosylation
  • Golgi Apparatus / metabolism
  • HEK293 Cells
  • Humans
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide / genetics
  • Protein Binding
  • Protein Processing, Post-Translational*
  • Protein Transport

Substances

  • Amyloid beta-Protein Precursor
  • Cell Cycle Proteins
  • GAS1 protein, human
  • GPI-Linked Proteins