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Biomedical subjects

Sangram S Sisodia

Publications and source records attributed to Sangram S Sisodia.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Presenilin-1 uses phospholipase D1 as a negative regulator of beta-amyloid formation.

Presenilin (PS1/PS2) is a major component of gamma-secretase, the activity that mediates proteolysis of beta-amyloid precursor protein to generate beta-amyloid (Abeta). Here we demonstrate that PS1, through its loop region, binds to phospholipase D1 (PLD1), thereby recruiting it to the Golgi/trans-Golgi network. Overexpression of wild-type PLD1 reduces Abeta generation. Conversely, down-regulation of endogenous PLD1 by small hairpin RNA elevates Abeta production. The Abeta-lowering effect of PLD1 is independent of its ability to promote vesicular budding of beta-amyloid precursor protein. The data indicate that overexpression of PLD1 decreases, and down-regulation of PLD1 increases, the catalytic activity, and the association of the subunits, of gamma-secretase.

Amyloid Precursor Protein Secretases↗

Phospholipase D1 corrects impaired betaAPP trafficking and neurite outgrowth in familial Alzheimer's disease-linked presenilin-1 mutant neurons.

Presenilins (PS1/PS2) regulate proteolysis of beta-amyloid precursor protein (betaAPP) and affect its intracellular trafficking. Here, we demonstrate that a PS1-interacting protein, phospholipase D1 (PLD1), affects intracellular trafficking of betaAPP. Overexpression of PLD1 in PS1wt cells promotes generation of betaAPP-containing vesicles from the trans-Golgi network. Conversely, inhibition of PLD1 activity by 1-butanol decreases betaAPP trafficking in both wt and PS1-deficient cells. The subcellular localization of PLD1 is altered, and PLD enzymatic activity is reduced in cells expressing familial Alzheimer's disease (FAD) PS1 mutations compared with PS1wt cells. Overexpression of wt, but not catalytically inactive, PLD1 increases budding of betaAPP-containing vesicles from the trans-Golgi network in FAD mutant cells. Surface delivery of betaAPP is also increased by PLD1 in these cells. The impaired neurite outgrowth capacity in FAD mutant neurons was corrected by introducing PLD1 into these cells. The results indicate that PLD1 may represent a therapeutic target for rescuing compromised neuronal function in AD.

Alzheimer Disease↗

Expression of a familial Alzheimer's disease-linked presenilin-1 variant enhances perforant pathway lesion-induced neuronal loss in the entorhinal cortex.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is characterized by neuronal loss in the hippocampus and entorhinal cortex that is manifested by progressive memory impairment and cognitive decline. Autosomal-dominant, familial forms of AD (FAD) are caused by mutations in genes encoding amyloid precursor protein, presenilin-1 (PS1), and presenilin 2. Although it is established that expression of mutant PS1 variants leads to increased production of highly fibrillogenic amyloidbeta42 (Abeta42) peptides that deposit in the brains of patients with AD, the mechanism(s) by which Abeta deposition and expression of mutant genes induce lamina- and region-specific vulnerability of neuronal populations is not known. We have examined the hypothesis that expression of transgene-encoded FAD-linked mutant PS1 variants in entorhinal cortex neurons exacerbates the vulnerability of these cells to lesion-induced neuronal loss. To test this notion, we transected the perforant pathway (PP) of transgenic mice harboring either wild-type human PS1 (PS1HWT) or the FAD-linked mutant PS1DeltaE9 variant and examined neuronal survival in layer II of the entorhinal cortex (ECL2). Remarkably, PP transections lead to marked reductions in the numbers of ECL2 neurons in the ECL2 of mice expressing mutant PS1, compared with ECL2 neurons in PP-lesioned PS1HWT mice. Finally, and in contrast to studies in nontransgenic mice and in mice expressing PS1HWT, ECL2 neurons that express mutant PS1 and the calcium binding protein calbindin-D28k in ECL2 are also susceptible to lesion-induced neuronal loss. We conclude that expression of FAD-linked mutant PS1 variants enhances the vulnerability of neurons in the entorhinal cortex to PP lesion-induced cytotoxicity.

Alzheimer Disease↗

Nigrostriatal dysfunction in familial Alzheimer's disease-linked APPswe/PS1DeltaE9 transgenic mice.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is often accompanied by extrapyramidal signs attributed to nigrostriatal dysfunction. The association between amyloid deposition and nigrostriatal degeneration is essentially unknown. We showed previously that the striatum and the substantia nigra of transgenic mice harboring familial AD (FAD)-linked APPswe/PS1DeltaE9 mutants exhibit morphological alterations accompanied by amyloid-beta (Abeta) deposition (Perez et al., 2004). In the present study, we further investigated the interaction between Abeta deposition and dopaminergic nigrostriatal dysfunction, by correlating morphological and biochemical changes in the nigrostriatal pathway with amyloid deposition pathology in the brains of 3- to 17-month-old APPswe/PS1DeltaE9 transgenic mice and age-matched wild-type controls. We show that Abeta deposition is pronounced in the striatum of APPswe/PS1DeltaE9 mice at 6 months of age, and the extent of deposition increases in an age-dependent manner. Tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)-positive dystrophic neurites with rosette or grape-like cluster disposition are observed adjacent to Abeta plaques and display multilaminar, multivesicular, and dense-core bodies as well as mitochondria. In addition, an age-dependent increase of TH protein levels are shown in nigral cells in these mutant mice. Using HPLC analysis, we found a reduction in the dopamine metabolite DOPAC in the striatum of these mice. These findings show a close association between amyloid deposition and nigrostriatal pathology and suggest that altered FAD-linked amyloid metabolism impairs, at least in part, the function of dopaminergic neurons.

Age Factors↗

Evidence that the "NF" motif in transmembrane domain 4 of presenilin 1 is critical for binding with PEN-2.

Macromolecular complexes containing presenilins (PS1 and PS2), nicastrin, anterior pharynx defective phenotype 1 (APH-1), and PS enhancer 2 (PEN-2) mediate the intramembranous, gamma-secretase cleavage of beta-amyloid precursor protein (APP), Notch, and a variety of type 1 membrane proteins. We previously demonstrated that PEN-2 is critical for promoting endoproteolysis of PS1 and that the proximal two-thirds of transmembrane domain (TMD) 1 of PEN-2 is required for binding with PS1. In this study, we sought to identify the structural domains of PS1 that are necessary for binding with PEN-2. To address this issue, we generated a series of constructs encoding PS1 mutants harboring deletions or replacements of specific TMDs of PS1-NTF, and examined the effects of encoded molecules on interactions with PEN-2, stabilization and endoproteolysis of PS1, and gamma-secretase activity. We now show that PS1 TMDs 1 and 2 and the intervening hydrophilic loop are dispensable for binding to PEN-2. Furthermore, analysis of chimeric PS1 molecules that harbor replacements of each TMD with corresponding transmembrane segments from the sterol regulatory element-binding protein cleavage activating protein (SCAP) revealed that the PS1-SCAP TMD4 mutant failed to coimmunoprecipitate endogenous PEN-2, strongly suggesting that the fourth TMD of PS1 is required for interaction with PEN-2. Further mutational analyses revealed that the "NF" sequence within the TMD4 of PS1 is the minimal motif that is required for binding with PEN-2, promoting PS1 endoproteolysis and gamma-secretase activity.

Amyloid Precursor Protein Secretases↗

P75 neurotrophin receptor regulates expression of neural cell adhesion molecule 1.

Our recent transcriptome profiling studies suggest that presenilin 1 (PS1) regulates expression of neural cell adhesion molecule (Ncam1) through p75 neurotrophin receptor. To better understand regulation of Ncam1 transcript and protein levels by p75, we performed a series of in vitro and in vivo experiments. The combined results suggest that p75 receptor is required for both resting and NGF-induced Ncam1 expression. Activation of TrkA receptors alone does not upregulate Ncam1. The normal Ncam1 expression depends on the relative ratio of TrkA and p75 receptors, and p75 extracellular domain is necessary for baseline Ncam1 expression. NGF-induced Ncam1 expression is dependent on the presence of an intact palmitoylation site within p75 receptor. Finally, we show that the expression of Ncam1 is altered in brains of two transgenic mouse lines that express familial Alzheimer's disease (FAD)-linked PS1 variants, suggesting that expression of dominantly inherited mutant PS1 genes interferes with the normal Ncam1 expression via the p75 signaling pathway.

Alzheimer Disease↗

Spatial segregation of gamma-secretase and substrates in distinct membrane domains.

Gamma-secretase facilitates the regulated intramembrane proteolysis of select type I membrane proteins that play diverse physiological roles in multiple cell types and tissue. In this study, we used biochemical approaches to examine the distribution of amyloid precursor protein (APP) and several additional gamma-secretase substrates in membrane microdomains. We report that APP C-terminal fragments (CTFs) and gamma-secretase reside in Lubrol WX detergent-insoluble membranes (DIM) of cultured cells and adult mouse brain. APP CTFs that accumulate in cells lacking gamma-secretase activity preferentially associate with DIM. Cholesterol depletion and magnetic immunoisolation studies indicate recruitment of APP CTFs into cholesterol- and sphingolipid-rich lipid rafts, and co-residence of APP CTFs, PS1, and syntaxin 6 in DIM patches derived from the trans-Golgi network. Photoaffinity cross-linking studies provided evidence for the preponderance of active gamma-secretase in lipid rafts of cultured cells and adult brain. Remarkably, unlike the case of APP, CTFs derived from Notch1, Jagged2, deleted in colorectal cancer (DCC), and N-cadherin remain largely detergent-soluble, indicative of their spatial segregation in non-raft domains. In embryonic brain, the majority of PS1 and nicastrin is present in Lubrol WX-soluble membranes, wherein the CTFs derived from APP, Notch1, DCC, and N-cadherin also reside. We suggest that gamma-secretase residence in non-raft membranes facilitates proteolysis of diverse substrates during embryonic development but that the translocation of gamma-secretase to lipid rafts in adults ensures processing of certain substrates, including APP CTFs, while limiting processing of other potential substrates.

Age Factors↗

Environmental enrichment reduces Abeta levels and amyloid deposition in transgenic mice.

Cerebral deposition of beta-amyloid (Abeta) peptides is an invariant pathological hallmark in brains of patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) and transgenic mice coexpressing familial AD-linked APP and PS1 variants. We now report that exposure of transgenic mice to an "enriched environment" results in pronounced reductions in cerebral Abeta levels and amyloid deposits, compared to animals raised under "standard housing" conditions. The enzymatic activity of an Abeta-degrading endopeptidase, neprilysin, is elevated in the brains of "enriched" mice and inversely correlated with amyloid burden. Moreover, DNA microarray analysis revealed selective upregulation in levels of transcripts encoded by genes associated with learning and memory, vasculogenesis, neurogenesis, cell survival pathways, Abeta sequestration, and prostaglandin synthesis. These studies provide evidence that environmental enrichment leads to reductions in steady-state levels of cerebral Abeta peptides and amyloid deposition and selective upregulation in levels of specific transcripts in brains of transgenic mice.

Alzheimer Disease↗

Axonal transport, amyloid precursor protein, kinesin-1, and the processing apparatus: revisited.

The sequential enzymatic actions of beta-APP cleaving enzyme 1 (BACE1), presenilins (PS), and other proteins of the gamma-secretase complex liberate beta-amyloid (Abeta) peptides from larger integral membrane proteins, termed beta-amyloid precursor proteins (APPs). Relatively little is known about the normal function(s) of APP or the neuronal compartment(s) in which APP undergoes proteolytic processing. Recent studies have been interpreted as consistent with the idea that APP serves as a kinesin-1 cargo receptor and that PS and BACE1 are associated with the APP-resident membranous cargos that undergo rapid axonal transport. In this report, derived from a collaboration among several independent laboratories, we examined the potential associations of APP and kinesin-1 using glutathione S-transferase pull-down and coimmunoprecipitation assays. In addition, we assessed the trafficking of membrane proteins in the sciatic nerves of transgenic mice with heterozygous or homozygous deletions of APP. In contrast to previous reports, we were unable to find evidence for direct interactions between APP and kinesin-1. Furthermore, the transport of kinesin-1 and tyrosine kinase receptors, previously reported to require APP, was unchanged in axons of APP-deficient mice. Finally, we show that two components of the APP proteolytic machinery, i.e., PS1 and BACE1, are not cotransported with APP in the sciatic nerves of mice. These findings suggest that the hypothesis that APP serves as a kinesin-1 receptor and that the proteolytic processing machinery responsible for generating Abeta is transported in the same vesicular compartment in axons of peripheral nerves requires revision.

Amyloid Precursor Protein Secretases↗

Presenilin attenuates receptor-mediated signaling and synaptic function.

Presenilin (PS) plays an essential role in intramembranous gamma-secretase processing of amyloid precursor protein (APP) and several membrane-bound proteins. Here we report that selective accumulation of a membrane-tethered deleted in colorectal cancer (DCC) derivative (DCC-alpha) correlates with extensive neurite outgrowth in transfected neuroblastoma cells and axodendritic connectivity associated with increased spine density in cortical neurons derived from PS1(-/-) embryos, as well as wild-type neurons treated with gamma-secretase inhibitors. cAMP-dependent signaling was also increased in both the neuroblastoma and cortical neuron systems. As a physiological consequence of increases in axodendritic connectivity and in the magnitude of cAMP-dependent signaling, short- and long-term glutamatergic synaptic transmission was enhanced in PS-deficient neurons. Together, these results demonstrate for the first time that PS-mediated gamma-secretase activity attenuates receptor-mediated intracellular signaling pathways that are critical in regulating glutamatergic synaptic transmission and memory processes.

Amyloid Precursor Protein Secretases↗

Presenilin-1-dependent transcriptome changes.

Familial forms of Alzheimer's disease (FADs) are caused by the expression of mutant presenilin 1 (PS1) or presenilin 2. Using DNA microarrays, we explored the brain transcription profiles of mice with conditional knock-out of PS1 (cKO PS1) in the forebrain. In parallel, we performed a transcription profiling of the hippocampus and frontal cortex of the FAD-linked DeltaE9 mutant transgenic (TG) mice and matched controls [TG mice expressing wild-type human PS1 (hPS1)]. When the TG and cKO datasets were cross-compared, the majority of the 30 common expression alterations were in opposite direction, suggesting that the FAD-linked PS1 variant produces transcriptome changes primarily by gain of aberrant function. Our microarray studies also revealed an unanticipated inverse correlation of transcript levels between the brains of mice that coexpress DeltaE9 hPS1+ amyloid precursor protein (APP)695 Swe and DeltaE9 hPS1 single transgenic mice. The opposite directionality of these changes in transcript levels must be a function of APP and/or APP derivatives.

Alzheimer Disease↗

True and false discovery in DNA microarray experiments: transcriptome changes in the hippocampus of presenilin 1 mutant mice.

In transcriptome profiling experiments using DNA microarrays, it is critical to maximize putatively true data discovery while keeping the false discovery rate at acceptable levels. Using previously published and verified transcriptome datasets of mice with genetically altered PS1 physiology, we present a simple, robust, and system-specific assessment of type I and type II errors in two independent microarray experimental series. We provide evidence to suggest that for maximizing true discovery and minimizing false discovery, statistical criteria alone are inferior to statistical significance plus magnitude of change criteria. Furthermore, we found that, regardless of the exact criteria used for determining differential expression, different data extraction protocols give rise to different discovery and false discovery rates. In addition, a large proportion of expression differences were both dataset and analytical approach dependent. The data assessment methods presented and discussed in this manuscript can be easily carried out on any microarray dataset using basic spreadsheet functions as the only tool needed. Finally, we provide an in-depth analysis of the hippocampal transcriptome of DeltaE9 hPS1 transgenic mice and mice with a conditional ablation of the PS1 gene.

Animals↗

Transcriptome differences between the frontal cortex and hippocampus of wild-type and humanized presenilin-1 transgenic mice.

OBJECTIVE: The authors investigated the differences between the frontal cortical (Fc) and hippocampal (Hc) transcriptomes of wild type (wt mPS1), humanized presenilin-1 (PS1 [wt hPS1]) and Alzheimer-disease (AD)-linked DeltaE9 hPS1 mutant mice. METHODS: Using high-density oligonucleotide arrays, they recently performed transcriptome profiling of wt mPS1, wt hPS1, and DeltaE9 hPS1 mutant mice. Whereas these studies analyzed the commonalities of gene expression patterns and commonly-regulated genes across the two brain areas and across the animal models, the current study focused on the gene-expression differences across Fc and Hc, two critical AD-affected brain regions. RESULTS: The data revealed that in the wild-type mice, there are significant transcriptome differences between the Fc and the Hc tissue, and these expression differences are maintained in humanized transgenic mice carrying the wt hPS1 gene or DeltaE9 hPS1 mutation. Also, they provide evidence that a subset of genes show disturbed regional Fc-Hc gene-expression ratios in the transgenic mice carrying the DeltaE9 hPS1 mutation. Some of these genes, including stearoyl-Coenzyme A desaturase-2 (Scd2) and Prostaglandin D2 synthase (Ptgds), have been previously implicated in the pathology of AD. CONCLUSIONS: Data suggest that disturbed gene-expression ratios between cortical regions may be an important event in altered brain physiology.

Alzheimer Disease↗

A sequence within the first transmembrane domain of PEN-2 is critical for PEN-2-mediated endoproteolysis of presenilin 1.

Macromolecular complexes containing presenilins (PS), nicastrin (NCT), APH-1, and PEN-2 mediate the gamma-secretase cleavage of the beta-amyloid precursor protein and Notch. APH-1 and NCT stabilize the PS1 holoprotein, whereas PEN-2 is critical for endoproteolysis of PS1. To define the structural domains of PEN-2 that are necessary for mediating PS1 endoproteolysis and gamma-secretase activity, we coexpressed APH-1, NCT, and PS1 together with a series of PEN-2 mutants, which harbored deletions in hydrophilic segments, or chimeric PEN-2 molecules that contained heterologous transmembrane domains (TMDs). We now report that with the exception of the PEN-2 variants with deletions proximal to the TMDs, the vast majority of the deletion variants were functional. Mutants that were nonfunctional were also unstable but were rescued by transposition of a heterologous sequence containing conservative amino acid substitutions into the deleted region. Notably, the carboxyl-terminal hydrophilic domain of PEN-2 was dispensable for promoting PS1 endoproteolysis but was critical for stabilizing the resulting PS1 derivatives. More importantly, we demonstrated that a chimeric PEN-2 with a replacement of the TMD2 with the TMD1 from sterol regulatory element binding protein 1 (SREBP-1) is fully functional but that a chimeric PEN-2 with a replacement of the TMD1 with the TMD2 from SREBP-1 is not. The function of this latter chimera was rescued by the replacement of the proximal two-thirds of the SREBP-1 TMD2 with the proximal two-thirds of the authentic TMD1 from PEN-2. These results suggest that the proximal two-thirds of the PEN-2 TMD1 is functionally important for endoproteolysis of PS1 holoproteins and the generation of PS1 fragments, essential components of the gamma-secretase complex.

Amyloid Precursor Protein Secretases↗

Evidence that assembly of an active gamma-secretase complex occurs in the early compartments of the secretory pathway.

The gamma-secretase complex, consisting of presenilins (PS), nicastrin (NCT), APH-1, and PEN-2, catalyzes the intramembranous proteolysis of truncated beta-amyloid precursor protein (APP) and Notch derivatives to generate the APP intracellular domain (AICD) and Notch intracellular domain (NICD), respectively. To examine the intracellular sites in which active gamma-secretase resides, we expressed NCT variants harboring either an endoplasmic reticulum (ER) retention signal (NCT-ER) or a trans-Golgi network (TGN) targeting motif (NCT-TGN) along with PS1, APH-1, and PEN-2 and examined gamma-secretase activity in these settings. In cells expressing NCT-ER and the other components, PS1 fragments hyperaccumulated, but AICD levels were not elevated. On the other hand, upon coexpression of an ER-retained APP variant or a constitutionally active Notch mutant, NDeltaE, we observed enhanced production of AICD or NICD, respectively, in cells expressing NCT-ER. Moreover, we show that membranes from cells expressing NCT-ER, NCT-TGN, or NCT-WT contain identical levels of PS1 derivatives that can be photoaffinity cross-linked to a biotinylated, benzophenone-derivatized gamma-secretase inhibitor. Finally, our cell-free gamma-secretase assays revealed nearly equivalent gamma-secretase activities in cells expressing PS1, APH-1, PEN-2, and either NCT-WT or NCT-ER. Taken together, we interpret these findings as suggesting that active gamma-secretase complex is generated in the early compartments of the secretory pathway but that these complexes are transported to late compartments in which substrates are encountered and subsequently processed within respective transmembrane segments.

Amino Acid Motifs↗

Presenilin 1 in migration and morphogenesis in the central nervous system.

Morphogenesis of the central nervous system relies in large part upon the correct migration of neuronal cells from birthplace to final position. Two general modes of migration govern CNS morphogenesis: radial, which is mostly glia-guided and topologically relatively simple; and tangential, which often involves complex movement of neurons in more than one direction. We describe the consequences of loss of function of presenilin 1 on these fundamental processes. Previous studies of the central nervous system in presenilin 1 homozygote mutant embryos identified a premature neuronal differentiation that is transient and localized, with cortical dysplasia at later stages. We document widespread effects on CNS morphogenesis that appear strongly linked to defective neuronal migration. Loss of presenilin 1 function perturbs both radial and tangential migration in cerebral cortex, and several tangential migratory pathways in the brainstem. The inability of cells to execute their migratory trajectories affects cortical lamination, formation of the facial branchiomotor nucleus, the spread of cerebellar granule cell precursors to form the external granule layer and development of the pontine nuclei. Finally, overall morphogenesis of the mid-hindbrain region is abnormal, resulting in incomplete midline fusion of the cerebellum and overgrowth of the caudal midbrain. These observations indicate that in the absence of presenilin 1 function, the ability of a cell to move can be severely impaired regardless of its mode of migration, and, at a grosser level, brain morphogenesis is perturbed. Our results demonstrate that presenilin 1 plays a much more important role in brain development than has been assumed, consistent with a pleiotropic involvement of this molecule in cellular signaling.

Amyloid Precursor Protein Secretases↗