title: The effect of corticosteroids on amyloid beta precursor protein/amyloid precursor-like protein expression and processing in vivo.
abstract: In this study, we have investigated the effect of altered corticosteroid levels on the expression and processing of the amyloid beta precursor protein (A betaPP) and its amyloid precursor-like protein (APLP) homologue in rat brain. Four groups of animals were used in the study: sham operated, adrenalectomised, and adrenalectomised treated with either dexamethasone or aldosterone, with the A betaPP/APLP expression being determined by western blot analysis. While there were no changes in the levels of A betaPP/APLP following adrenalectomy, treatment with dexamethasone, but not aldosterone, resulted in a marked increase in protein expression levels with the level of increase varying between the brain regions examined. Corticosteroids had a more marked effect on the particulate rather than the soluble form of the protein, thus suggesting that elevated glucocorticoids may also be adversely influencing A betaPP/APLP processing.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology and Neuroscience, University of Dundee, Ninewells Hospital Medical School, Scotland, UK.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Budas
authors.forename: C M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Coughlan
authors.forename: J R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Seckl
authors.forename: K C
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Breen
mesh_terms: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000502:physiology*; D000315:Adrenalectomy; D000450:Aldosterone / Q000494:pharmacology; D016564:Amyloid beta-Protein Precursor / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D015153:Blotting, Western; D001921:Brain / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000494:pharmacology; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000494:pharmacology; D051381:Rats; D014018:Tissue Distribution
chemical_list: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D016564:Amyloid beta-Protein Precursor; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D000450:Aldosterone; D003907:Dexamethasone