Apolipoprotein E and Alzheimer's disease.
The past year has seen widespread confirmation that the epsilon 4 allele of the apolipoprotein E gene is a major risk factor for Alzheimer's disease. The epsilon 4 allele also appears to correlate with life expectancy. This allele has been found to be present in over 50% of Alzheimer patients, regardless of whether or not they have a family history of dementia. It is not yet clear how the epsilon 4 allele mediates its actions; however, recent evidence suggests that apolipoprotein E4 may be responsible for the accelerated formation of beta-pleated amyloid from soluble beta-amyloid peptide, as is seen in the neuritic plaques of Alzheimer patients, as well as interacting with intraneuronal microtubular transport mechanisms.
Department of Neurosciences, School of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla 92093-0949.
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Katzman
D000483:Alleles; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000235:genetics*; D053327:Apolipoprotein E4; D001057:Apolipoproteins E / Q000235:genetics*; D005796:Genes; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006801:Humans; D008136:Longevity; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000235:genetics
D053327:Apolipoprotein E4; D001057:Apolipoproteins E