Amyloid beta peptides act directly on single neurons.
A peptide consisting of residues 25-35 of the amyloid beta protein was applied to single neurons while monitoring membrane current by whole cell voltage clamp recording. Within minutes of direct exposure of a neuron to the amyloid beta peptide, a paroxysmal increase in neuronal membrane conductance was observed. This conductance does not resemble previously described ionic conductances in terms of its time-dependence, voltage-dependence or sensitivity to changes in extracellular or intracellular ionic constituents. The effect of the amyloid beta peptide was not mimicked or blocked by substance P nor was it prevented by low intracellular or extracellular Ca. The increased membrane permeability elicited by the peptides may lead to the neuropathology observed in Alzheimer's disease.
Simmons
M A
MA
Department of Pharmacology, Marshall University School of Medicine, Huntington, WV 25755-9310.
Schneider
C R
CR
D016229:Amyloid beta-Peptides / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D002118:Calcium / Q000502:physiology; D002463:Cell Membrane Permeability / Q000187:drug effects; D005728:Ganglia, Sympathetic / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects; D007473:Ion Channels / Q000187:drug effects; D009431:Neural Conduction; D009474:Neurons / Q000187:drug effects*; D010455:Peptides / Q000494:pharmacology; D011892:Rana catesbeiana; D013373:Substance P / Q000494:pharmacology
D016229:Amyloid beta-Peptides; D007473:Ion Channels; D010455:Peptides; D013373:Substance P; D002118:Calcium