title: The role of Wnt signaling in neuronal dysfunction in Alzheimer's Disease.
abstract: Recent evidence supports a neuroprotective role for Wnt signaling in neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's Disease (AD). In fact, a relationship between amyloid-beta-peptide (Abeta)-induced neurotoxicity and a decrease in the cytoplasmic levels of beta-catenin has been observed. Apparently Abeta binds to the extracellular cysteine-rich domain of the Frizzled receptor (Fz) inhibiting Wnt/beta-catenin signaling. Cross-talk with other signaling cascades that regulate Wnt/beta-catenin signaling, including the activation of M1 muscarinic receptor and PKC, the use of Ibuprofen-ChE bi-functional compounds, PPAR alpha, gamma agonists, nicotine and some antioxidants, results in neuroprotection against Abeta. These studies indicate that a sustained loss of Wnt signaling function may be involved in the Abeta-dependent neurodegeneration observed in Alzheimer's brain. In conclusion the activation of the Wnt signaling pathway could be proposed as a therapeutic target for the treatment of AD.
authors.affiliation: Centro de Envejecimiento y Regeneración (CARE), Centro de Regulación Celular y Patología "Joaquín V, Luco" (CRCP), MIFAB, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Alameda 340, Santiago, Chile. ninestrosa@bio.puc.cl.
authors.forename: Nibaldo C
authors.initials: NC
authors.lastname: Inestrosa
authors.forename: Enrique M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Toledo