[Function of HCNP/HCNP precursor in memory formation].
Based on the hypothesis of target-derived trophic factor, we have purified a novel peptide from young rat hippocampus, named Hippocampal Cholinergic Neurostimulating Peptide: HCNP, which induces the synthesis of acetylcholine in the medial septal nucleus. This peptide is aligned with the N terminal of protein composed 186 amino acids (HCNP precursor protein), and released from neurons in hippocampus by the NMDA receptor stimulation. Moreover, HCNP precursor can be involved in neural activity in hippocampus via the inhibition of phosphorylation of Erk. HCNP and its precursor can be a candidate for the key molecules elucidating the underlying association among Abeta, phosphorylated tau, degeneration of dendritic spine and decrease of acetylcholine in Alzheimer brain.
Matsukawa
Noriyuki
N
Department of Neurology and Neuroscience, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya City University, Nagoya, 467 8601 Japan. norim@med.nagoya-cu.ac.jp
Ojika
Kosei
K
D000109:Acetylcholine / Q000096:biosynthesis; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000209:etiology; D016229:Amyloid beta-Peptides / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D048049:Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases / Q000378:metabolism; D006624:Hippocampus / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008568:Memory / Q000502:physiology*; D009479:Neuropeptides / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000502:physiology*; D049488:Phosphatidylethanolamine Binding Protein / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000502:physiology*; D010766:Phosphorylation; D051381:Rats; D016194:Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate / Q000502:physiology; D012686:Septal Nuclei / Q000378:metabolism; D016875:tau Proteins / Q000378:metabolism
D016229:Amyloid beta-Peptides; D009479:Neuropeptides; D049488:Phosphatidylethanolamine Binding Protein; D016194:Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate; D016875:tau Proteins; C075274:hippocampal cholinergic neurostimulating peptide; D048049:Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases; D000109:Acetylcholine