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.
Katzman
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Department of Neurosciences, School of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla 92093-0949.
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