Protein sorting motifs in the cytoplasmic tail of SorCS1 control generation of Alzheimer's amyloid-β peptide

J Neurosci. 2013 Apr 17;33(16):7099-107. doi: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.5270-12.2013.

Abstract

Endosomal sorting of the Alzheimer amyloid precursor protein (APP) plays a key role in the biogenesis of the amyloid-β (Aβ) peptide. Genetic lesions underlying Alzheimer's disease (AD) can act by interfering with this physiological process. Specifically, proteins involved in trafficking between endosomal compartments and the trans-Golgi network (TGN) [including the retromer complex (Vps35, Vps26) and its putative receptors (sortilin, SorL1, SorCS1)] have been implicated in the molecular pathology of late-onset AD. Previously, we demonstrated a role for SorCS1 in APP metabolism and Aβ production and, while we implicated a role for the retromer in this regulation, the underlying mechanism remained poorly understood. Here, we provide evidence for a motif within the SorCS1c cytoplasmic tail that, when manipulated, results in perturbed sorting of APP and/or its fragments to endosomal compartments, decreased retrograde TGN trafficking, and increased Aβ production in H4 neuroglioma cells. These perturbations apparently do not involve turnover of the cell surface APP pool, but rather they involve intracellular APP and/or its fragments, downstream of APP endocytosis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Motifs / genetics
  • Amino Acid Motifs / physiology
  • Amyloid beta-Peptides / metabolism*
  • Amyloid beta-Protein Precursor / genetics
  • Analysis of Variance
  • Biotinylation
  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cycloheximide / pharmacology
  • Cytoplasm / metabolism*
  • Endocytosis / drug effects
  • Endocytosis / genetics
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic / drug effects
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic / genetics
  • Glioma / pathology
  • Humans
  • Immunoprecipitation
  • Models, Biological
  • Mutagenesis, Site-Directed / methods
  • Mutation / genetics
  • Point Mutation / genetics
  • Protein Synthesis Inhibitors / pharmacology
  • Protein Transport / drug effects
  • Protein Transport / genetics
  • Receptors, Cell Surface / genetics
  • Receptors, Cell Surface / metabolism*
  • Subcellular Fractions / drug effects
  • Subcellular Fractions / metabolism
  • Tyrosine / metabolism

Substances

  • Amyloid beta-Peptides
  • Amyloid beta-Protein Precursor
  • Protein Synthesis Inhibitors
  • Receptors, Cell Surface
  • SORCS1 protein, human
  • Tyrosine
  • Cycloheximide