beta-Amyloid increases choline conductance of PC12 cells: possible mechanism of toxicity in Alzheimer's disease.
When beta-amyloid-(1-40) is added to PC12 cells, there is an increase in choline conductance that is proportional to the beta-amyloid concentration. If a similar effect occurs in cholinergic brain cells of Alzheimer's disease patients, the intracellular choline concentration would be reduced, leading to a decrease in the production of acetylcholine. This could explain the reduced level of acetylcholine that has been found in post-mortem brain tissue of Alzheimer's disease patients.
Galdzicki
Z
Z
Laboratory of Neurosciences, National Institute on Aging, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20892.
Fukuyama
R
R
Wadhwani
K C
KC
Rapoport
S I
SI
Ehrenstein
G
G
D000310:Adrenal Gland Neoplasms; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000503:physiopathology*; D016229:Amyloid beta-Peptides / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D002794:Choline / Q000378:metabolism*; D004553:Electric Conductivity / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007700:Kinetics; D008564:Membrane Potentials / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D016716:PC12 Cells; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010673:Pheochromocytoma; D013997:Time Factors
D016229:Amyloid beta-Peptides; D010446:Peptide Fragments; C078592:amyloid beta-protein (1-40); D002794:Choline