[Reduced neuronal nitric oxide synthetase and c-protein kinase levels in Alzheimer's disease].
BACKGROUND
Alzheimer's disease is characterized by a general and progressive dementia and by the presence of beta-amiloide deposits.


OBJECTIVE
The levels of neuronal nitric oxide synthase (NOS) and protein kinase C (PKC), and the relationship between these proteins, the free-radical theory and the high level of beta-amiloide in Alzheimer's disease, have been studied.


METHODS
The study has been performed in samples of Alzheimer's disease (superior, medial and inferior regions of temporalis gyrus) from control individuals and patients. The tissue was homogenized and the proteins were analyzed using monoclonal antibodies for NOS and PKC.


RESULTS
Lower levels of neuronal constitutive NOS (37% +/- 2.5 and 52% +/- 3.0) in Alzheimer's disease derived superior and inferior temporalis gyrus, respectively, were observed. No changes were found in superior temporalis gyrus in PKC isoforms levels, involved in the processing for the beta-amiloide precursor protein. In the medial and inferior regions the PKC level was 5% +/- 0.5 to 22% +/- 3.0.


CONCLUSIONS
These results could be related with an imbalance in the superoxide/nitric oxide ratio as a consequence of the non-inhibition of lipoxygenase, and with a neurotransmission dysfunction due, all this, to the decrease of nitric oxide levels. On the other hand, a relationship could be proposed between the high concentrations of beta-amiloide and the decrease in PKC levels in Alzheimer's disease.
Gargiulo
L
L
Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa, Facultad de Biología, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, España.
Bermejo
M
M
Liras
A
A
D000368:Aged; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000473:pathology; D016564:Amyloid beta-Protein Precursor / Q000378:metabolism; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D001284:Atrophy / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008163:Luminescent Measurements; D008297:Male; D009474:Neurons / Q000737:chemistry / Q000201:enzymology; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase / Q000032:analysis* / Q000378:metabolism*; D011493:Protein Kinase C / Q000032:analysis* / Q000378:metabolism*; D013702:Temporal Lobe / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology
D016564:Amyloid beta-Protein Precursor; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase; D011493:Protein Kinase C