LDL receptor-related protein (LRP) in Alzheimer's disease: towards a unified theory of pathogenesis.
To date, mutations in three genes, beta-amyloid precursor protein (APP), presenilin 1 (PS1), and presenilin 2 (PS2), have been found to be causally related to familial Alzheimer's disease (AD). In addition, polymorphisms in three other genes (among others), apolipoprotein E (apoE), alpha2-macroglobulin (alpham), and the low density lipoprotein receptor-related protein (LRP), are implicated to contribute to AD pathogenesis. Interestingly, the encoded gene products are all functionally related in various ways to LRP. Specifically apoE, alpha2m, secreted APP, and amyloid beta-protein (Abeta) complexed to either apoE or alpha2m are ligands of LRP. Furthermore, over-expression of presenilin 1 results in decreased expression of LRP. Since levels of many LRP ligands are increased in Alzheimer's disease and LRP and its ligands are present in senile plaques, decreased LRP function may be a central component in AD pathogenesis. This review explores the current knowledge of LRP in AD and its relationship to the other known AD susceptibility markers.
Van Uden
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Department of Neurosciences, University of California-San Diego, School of Medicine, La Jolla, California 92093, USA.
Kang
D E
DE
Koo
E H
EH
Masliah
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E
D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D016564:Amyloid beta-Protein Precursor / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D026541:Heymann Nephritis Antigenic Complex; D006801:Humans; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D053764:Presenilin-1; D053766:Presenilin-2; D011973:Receptors, LDL / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*
D016564:Amyloid beta-Protein Precursor; D026541:Heymann Nephritis Antigenic Complex; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D008565:Membrane Proteins; C508853:PSEN1 protein, human; C508861:PSEN2 protein, human; D053764:Presenilin-1; D053766:Presenilin-2; D011973:Receptors, LDL