gamma-Secretase cleavage and binding to FE65 regulate the nuclear translocation of the intracellular C-terminal domain (ICD) of the APP family of proteins

Biochemistry. 2003 Jun 10;42(22):6664-73. doi: 10.1021/bi027375c.

Abstract

Regulated intramembrane proteolysis (RIP) of the amyloid precursor protein (APP) produces amyloid beta-protein (Abeta), the probable causative agent of Alzheimer's disease (AD), and is therefore an important target for therapeutic intervention. However, there is a burgeoning consensus that gamma-secretase, one of the proteases that generates Abeta, is also critical for the signal transduction of APP and a growing list of other receptors. APP is a member of a gene family that includes two amyloid precursor-like proteins, APLP1 and APLP2. Although APP and the APLPs undergo similar proteolytic processing, there is little information about the role of their gamma-secretase-generated intracellular domains (ICDs). Here, we show that APLP1 and 2 undergo presenilin-dependent RIP similar to APP, resulting in the release of a approximately 6 kDa ICD for each protein. Each of the ICDs are degraded by an insulin degrading enzyme-like activity, but they can be stabilized by members of the FE65 family and translocate to the nucleus. Given that modulation of APP processing is a therapeutic target and that the APLPs are processed in a manner similar to APP, any strategy aimed at altering APP proteolysis will have to take into account possible effects on signaling by APLP 1 and 2.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Amyloid Precursor Protein Secretases
  • Amyloid beta-Protein Precursor / analogs & derivatives*
  • Amyloid beta-Protein Precursor / chemistry
  • Amyloid beta-Protein Precursor / metabolism*
  • Animals
  • Aspartic Acid Endopeptidases
  • CHO Cells
  • COS Cells
  • Cell Membrane / metabolism*
  • Cell Nucleus / metabolism*
  • Cloning, Molecular
  • Cricetinae
  • Endopeptidases / chemistry
  • Endopeptidases / metabolism*
  • Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Direct / methods
  • Humans
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / metabolism*
  • Nuclear Proteins / metabolism*
  • Protein Binding
  • Protein Processing, Post-Translational
  • Protein Structure, Tertiary
  • Recombinant Proteins / chemistry
  • Recombinant Proteins / genetics
  • Recombinant Proteins / metabolism
  • Signal Transduction

Substances

  • APBB1 protein, human
  • APLP1 protein, human
  • Amyloid beta-Protein Precursor
  • Apbb1 protein, mouse
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins
  • Nuclear Proteins
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • Amyloid Precursor Protein Secretases
  • Endopeptidases
  • Aspartic Acid Endopeptidases
  • BACE1 protein, human
  • Bace1 protein, mouse