title: Mice knock out for the histone acetyltransferase p300/CREB binding protein-associated factor develop a resistance to amyloid toxicity.
abstract: p300/CREB binding protein-associated factor (PCAF) regulates gene expression by acting through histone acetylation and as a transcription coactivator. Although histone acetyltransferases were involved in the toxicity induced by amyloid-beta (Abeta) peptides, nothing is known about PCAF. We here analyzed the sensitivity of PCAF knockout (KO) mice to the toxic effects induced by i.c.v. injection of Abeta(25-35) peptide, a nontransgenic model of Alzheimer's disease. PCAF wild-type (WT) and KO mice received Abeta(25-35) (1, 3 or 9 nmol) or scrambled Abeta(25-35) (9 nmol) as control. After 7 days, Abeta(25-35) toxicity was measured in the hippocampus of WT mice by a decrease in CA1 pyramidal cells and increases in oxidative stress, endoplasmic reticulum stress and induction of apoptosis. Memory deficits were observed using spontaneous alternation, water-maze learning and passive avoidance. Non-treated PCAF KO mice showed a decrease in CA1 cells and learning alterations. However, Abeta(25-35) injection failed to induce toxicity or worsen the deficits. This resistance to Abeta(25-35) toxicity did not involve changes in glutamate or acetylcholine systems. Examination of enzymes involved in Abeta generation or degradation revealed changes in transcription of presenilins, activity of neprilysin (NEP) and an absence of Abeta(25-35)-induced regulation of NEP activity in PCAF KO mice, partly due to an altered expression of somatostatin (SRIH). We conclude that PCAF regulates the expression of proteins involved in Abeta generation and degradation, thus rendering PCAF KO insensitive to amyloid toxicity. Modulating acetyltransferase activity may offer a new way to develop anti-amyloid therapies.
authors.affiliation: INSERM U 710, Montpellier, France.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Duclot
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Meffre
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Jacquet
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Gongora
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Maurice
mesh_terms: D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000503:physiopathology; D016229:Amyloid beta-Peptides / Q000378:metabolism / Q000633:toxicity*; D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics; D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000503:physiopathology; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004351:Drug Resistance / Q000235:genetics*; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease / Q000235:genetics*; D006624:Hippocampus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D008569:Memory Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D015260:Neprilysin / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D009410:Nerve Degeneration / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D009474:Neurons / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000378:metabolism / Q000633:toxicity*; D053763:Presenilins / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D013004:Somatostatin / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D050880:p300-CBP Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics*; D000099224:p300-CBP-Associated Factor
chemical_list: D016229:Amyloid beta-Peptides; D015260:Neprilysin; D010446:Peptide Fragments; D053763:Presenilins; D013004:Somatostatin; D050880:p300-CBP Transcription Factors; D000099224:p300-CBP-Associated Factor; C074636:amyloid beta-protein (25-35)