bims-metalz Biomed News
on Metabolic causes of Alzheimer’s disease
Issue of 2023‒01‒29
two papers selected by
Mikaila Chetty
Goa University


  1. Comput Struct Biotechnol J. 2023 ;21 923-930
      Neurodegenerative diseases are characterized by the progressive decline of neuronal function in several brain areas, and are always associated with cognitive, psychiatric, or motor deficits due to the atrophy of certain neuronal populations. Most neurodegenerative diseases share common pathological mechanisms, such as neurotoxic protein misfolding, oxidative stress, and impairment of autophagy machinery. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is one of the most common adult-onset motor neuron disorders worldwide. It is clinically characterized by the selective and progressive loss of motor neurons in the motor cortex, brain stem, and spinal cord, ultimately leading to muscle atrophy and rapidly progressive paralysis. Multiple recent studies have indicated that the amyloid precursor protein (APP) and its proteolytic fragments are not only drivers of Alzheimer's disease (AD) but also one of the earliest signatures in ALS, preceding or anticipating neuromuscular junction instability and denervation. Indeed, altered levels of APP peptides have been found in the brain, muscles, skin, and cerebrospinal fluid of ALS patients. In this short review, we discuss the nature and extent of research evidence on the role of APP peptides in ALS, focusing on the intracellular C-terminal peptide and its regulatory motif 682YENPTY687, with the overall aim of providing new frameworks and perspectives for intervention and identifying key questions for future investigations.
    Keywords:  682YENPTY687 motif; Amyloid precursor protein; Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis; Neurodegeneration
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.csbj.2023.01.008
  2. Biochem Soc Trans. 2023 Jan 23. pii: BST20220518. [Epub ahead of print]
      Mitochondrial dysfunction and Aβ accumulation are hallmarks of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Decades of research describe a relationship between mitochondrial function and Aβ production. Amyloid precursor protein (APP), of which Aβ is generated from, is found within mitochondria. Studies suggest Aβ can be generated in mitochondria and imported into mitochondria. APP and Aβ alter mitochondrial function, while mitochondrial function alters Aβ production from APP. The role these interactions contribute to AD pathology and progression are unknown. Here, we discuss prior research, the rigor of those studies, and the critical knowledge gaps of relationships between APP, Aβ, and mitochondria.
    Keywords:  Alzheimer's disease; amyloid beta; amyloid precursor protein; bioenergetics; mitochondria; γ-secretase
    DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1042/BST20220518