Apolipoprotein E receptors in the nervous system.
OBJECTIVE
Over the past few years, apolipoprotein E (ApoE) receptors, also known as LDL receptor-related proteins, have distinguished themselves as functionally diverse signaling receptors with pivotal roles not only in the vascular system but also in the nervous system and during development.


RESULTS
The expanding roles of ApoE receptors for cellular signal transduction at the same time transcend and integrate their lipid transport roles into a larger biological and clinical context. ApoE receptors are essential for the development of the nervous system, the regulation of synaptic plasticity, neuroprotection and the innervation of the muscle. They also regulate the metabolism of the amyloid precursor protein on multiple levels, implicating them in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease.


CONCLUSIONS
ApoE, a common ligand for all members of the evolutionarily ancient LDL receptor gene family, is the major genetic modifier of the age of onset of Alzheimer's disease. The underlying molecular mechanisms remain shrouded in mystery, but the numerous critical functions of ApoE receptors within and outside the nervous system that have recently emerged make it likely that these multifunctional signal modulators participate in Alzheimer's disease pathogenesis. This review attempts to summarize the most recent and relevant findings in this area.
Department of Molecular Genetics, UT Southwestern, Dallas, Texas 75390-9046, USA. Joachim.Herz@UTSouthwestern.edu
Joachim
J
Herz
D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D026503:Low Density Lipoprotein Receptor-Related Protein-1 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D009420:Nervous System / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000503:physiopathology; D009424:Nervous System Physiological Phenomena; D009473:Neuronal Plasticity; D013569:Synapses / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology
D026503:Low Density Lipoprotein Receptor-Related Protein-1