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PubMed2004

Electron transfer in acetohydroxy acid synthase as a side reaction of catalysis. Implications for the reactivity and partitioning of the carbanion/enamine form of (alpha-hydroxyethyl)thiamin diphosphate in a "nonredox" flavoenzyme.

Acetohydroxy acid synthases (AHAS) are thiamin diphosphate- (ThDP-) and FAD-dependent enzymes that catalyze the first common step of branched-chain amino acid biosynthesis in plants, bacteria, and fungi. Although the flavin cofactor is not chemically involved in the physiological reaction of AHAS, it has been shown to be essential for the structural integrity and activity of the enzyme. Here, we report that the enzyme-bound FAD in AHAS is reduced in the course of catalysis in a side reaction. The reduction of the enzyme-bound flavin during turnover of different substrates under aerobic and anaerobic conditions was characterized by stopped-flow kinetics using the intrinsic FAD absorbance. Reduction of enzyme-bound FAD proceeds with a net rate constant of k' = 0.2 s(-1) in the presence of oxygen and approximately 1 s(-1) under anaerobic conditions. No transient flavin radicals are detectable during the reduction process while time-resolved absorbance spectra are recorded. Reconstitution of the binary enzyme-FAD complex with the chemically synthesized intermediate 2-(hydroxyethyl)-ThDP also results in a reduction of the flavin. These data provide evidence for the first time that the key catalytic intermediate 2-(hydroxyethyl)-ThDP in the carbanionic/enamine form is not only subject to covalent addition of 2-keto acids and an oxygenase side reaction but also transfers electrons to the adjacent FAD in an intramolecular redox reaction yielding 2-acetyl-ThDP and reduced FAD. The detection of the electron transfer supports the idea of a common ancestor of acetohydroxy acid synthase and pyruvate oxidase, a homologous ThDP- and FAD-dependent enzyme that, in contrast to AHASs, catalyzes a reaction that relies on intercofactor electron transfer.

Acetolactate Synthase↗
PubMed2007

Redox-induced changes in flavin structure and roles of flavin N(5) and the ribityl 2'-OH group in regulating PutA--membrane binding.

PutA is a novel flavoprotein in Escherichia coli that switches from a transcriptional repressor to a membrane-bound proline catabolic enzyme. Previous crystallographic studies of the PutA proline dehydrogenase (PRODH) domain under oxidizing conditions revealed that FAD N(5) and the ribityl 2'-OH group form hydrogen bonds with Arg431 and Arg556, respectively. Here we identify molecular interactions in the PutA PRODH active site that underlie redox-dependent functional switching of PutA. We report that reduction of the PRODH domain induces major structural changes in the FAD cofactor, including a 22 degrees bend of the isoalloxazine ring along the N(5)-N(10) axis, crankshaft rotation of the upper part of the ribityl chain, and formation of a new hydrogen bond network involving the ribityl 2'-OH group, FAD N(1), and Gly435. The roles of the FAD 2'-OH group and the FAD N(5)-Arg431 hydrogen bond pair in regulating redox-dependent PutA-membrane associations were tested using FAD analogues and site-directed mutagenesis. Kinetic membrane binding measurements and cell-based reporter gene assays of modified PutA proteins show that disrupting the FAD N(5)-Arg431 interaction impairs the reductive activation of PutA-membrane binding. We also show that the FAD 2'-OH group acts as a redox-sensitive toggle switch that controls PutA-membrane binding. These results illustrate a new versatility of the ribityl chain in flavoprotein mechanisms.

Bacterial Proteins↗
PubMed1992

Studies on the active centre of Rhodotorula gracilis D-amino acid oxidase and comparison with pig kidney enzyme.

D-Amino acid oxidase (EC 1.4.3.3) from Rhodotorula gracilis has been reconstituted with 8-chloro-, 8-mercapto-, 6-hydroxy-, 2-thio-, 5-deaza- and 1-deaza-FAD, and the properties of the resulting complexes have been studied and compared with those of the correspondingly modified pig kidney D-amino acid oxidases. Binding appears to be tight for most analogues, at least as tight as for native FAD (approximately 10(-8) M). 8-Mercapto- and 6-hydroxy-FAD bind in their para- and ortho-quinoid forms respectively to yeast D-amino acid oxidase, inferring the presence of a positive charge near the flavin N(1) position, as in the case of the mammalian enzyme. On the other hand, important differences in active-site microenvironment emerge: solvent accessibility to flavin position 8 is drastically restricted in yeast D-amino acid oxidase as indicated by the unreactivity of 8-chloro- and 8-mercapto-FAD enzyme with thiolates and alkylating agents. Significantly different microenvironments are also likely to occur around the flavin positions N(1)-C(2) = 0, N(3)-H and N(5). This is deduced from the differences in interaction of the two proteins with 1-deaza-FAD, 5-deaza-FAD and 2-thio-FAD and from the properties of the respective complexes. The same re-side flavin stereospecificity as shown by the mammalian enzyme was determined for the yeast enzyme using 8-hydroxy-5-deaza-FAD. Thus we can deduce the presence of a similar pattern of functional groups at the active centres of the two enzymes, while the fine tuning of specificity and regulation correlate with environmental differences at specific flavin loci.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Domain organization and flavin adenine dinucleotide-binding determinants in the aerotaxis signal transducer Aer of Escherichia coli.

Aerotactic responses in Escherichia coli are mediated by the membrane transducer Aer, a recently identified member of the superfamily of PAS domain proteins, which includes sensors of light, oxygen, and redox state. Initial studies of Aer suggested that it might use a flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD) prosthetic group to monitor cellular redox changes. To test this idea, we purified lauryl maltoside-solubilized Aer protein by His-tag affinity chromatography and showed by high performance liquid chromatography, mass spectrometry, and absorbance spectroscopy that it bound FAD noncovalently. Polypeptide fragments spanning the N-terminal 290 residues of Aer, which contains the PAS motif, were able to bind FAD. Fusion of this portion of Aer to the flagellar signaling domain of Tsr, the serine chemoreceptor, yielded a functional aerotaxis transducer, demonstrating that the FAD-binding portion of Aer is sufficient for aerosensing. Aerotaxis-defective missense mutants identified two regions, in addition to the PAS domain, that play roles in FAD binding. Those regions flank a central hydrophobic segment needed to anchor Aer to the cytoplasmic membrane. They might contact the FAD ligand directly or stabilize the FAD-binding pocket. However, their lack of sequence conservation in Aer homologs of other bacteria suggests that they play less direct roles in FAD binding. One or both regions probably also play important roles in transmitting stimulus-induced conformational changes to the C-terminal flagellar signaling domain to trigger aerotactic behavioral responses.

Amino Acid Substitution↗
PubMed1995

Active site studies of DT-diaphorase employing artificial flavins.

NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase (EC 1.6.99.2) (DT-diaphorase) is an FAD-containing enzyme that catalyzes the 2-electron reduction of quinones to hydroquinones using either NADH or NADPH as the electron donor. In this study, FAD was removed by dialyzing the holoprotein against 2 M KBr, and synthetic analogs of FAD were substituted in the flavin binding site as structural probes. Spectral analysis indicates that the benzoquinoid forms of 8-mercapto-FAD and 6-mercapto-FAD are stabilized on binding to the enzyme. This is consistent with the fact that the native flavoprotein forms the anion flavin radical upon photoreduction and suggests the presence of a positive charge near the N(1)C(2)O position of the isoalloxazine ring. Reactivity studies using 8-chloro- and 8-mercapto-flavins suggest that the 8 position of the FAD is accessible to the solvent. However, the rates of the reactions were dramatically decreased in the presence of the competitive inhibitor, dicumarol. 6-Mercapto-, 6-thiocyanato-, 6-azido-, and 6-amino-flavins were also used as structural probes. The results indicate that the 6 position is accessible to solvent. Dicumarol binding increases the pK alpha of the enzyme-bound 6-mercapto-flavin from below pH 5.0 to higher than pH 9.0. The results suggest that DT-diaphorase shows the same properties as the C-C transhydrogenases, and the binding of dicumarol elicits a conformational change or an adjustment in the polarity of the FAD pocket. The enzyme reconstituted with oxidized 5-deaza-FAD has significant catalytic activity, confirming that DT-diaphorase is an obligatory 2-electron transfer enzyme and plays a role in the detoxification of quinones and quinoid compounds by reducing them to the relatively stable hydroquinones.

Binding Sites↗
PubMed1999

Riboflavin therapy. Biochemical heterogeneity in two adult lipid storage myopathies.

Two unrelated adult males, aged 36 (patient 1) and 25 (patient 2) years, presented with subacute carnitine-deficient lipid storage myopathy that was totally and partly responsive to riboflavin supplementation in the two patients, respectively. Plasma acyl-carnitine and urinary organic acid profiles indicated multiple acyl coenzyme A dehydrogenase deficiency, which was mild in patient 1 and severe in patient 2. The activities of short-chain and medium-chain acyl coenzyme A dehydrogenases in mitochondrial fractions were decreased, especially in patient 2. This was in agreement with Western blotting results. Flavin-dependent complexes I and II were studied by immunoblotting and densitometric quantification of two-dimensional electrophoresis with comparable results. Complex I was present in normal amounts in both patients, whereas complex II was decreased only in the pretherapy muscle of patient 2. Flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD) and flavin mononucleotide (FMN) concentrations in muscle and isolated mitochondria, and the activity of mitochondrial FAD pyrophosphatase, showed that patient 1 had low levels of FAD (46%) and FMN (49%) in mitochondria, with a significant increase (P < 0.01) in mitochondrial FAD pyrophosphatase (273%) compared with controls. Patient 2 had similar low levels of FAD and FMN in both total muscle (FAD and FMN 22% of controls) and mitochondria (FAD 26%; FMN 16%) and normal activity of mitochondrial FAD pyrophosphatase. All of these biochemical parameters were either totally or partly corrected after riboflavin therapy.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Intracellularly generated amyloid-beta peptide counteracts the antiapoptotic function of its precursor protein and primes proapoptotic pathways for activation by other insults in neuroblastoma cells.

Most mutations in amyloid precursor proteins (APPs) linked to early onset familial Alzheimer's disease (FAD) increase the production of amyloid-beta peptides ending at residue 42 (Abeta42), which are released from APP by beta- and gamma-secretase cleavage. Stably transfected cells expressing wild-type human APP (APP(WT)) were more resistant to apoptosis-inducing treatments than cells expressing FAD-mutant human APP (APP(FAD)). Preventing Abeta42 production with an M596I mutation (beta-), which blocks beta-secretase cleavage of APP, or by treatment with a gamma-secretase inhibitor increased the resistance of APP(FAD)-expressing cells to apoptosis. Exposing hAPP(FAD/beta-) cells to exogenous Abeta42 or conditioned medium from Abeta42-producing APP(FAD) cells did not diminish their resistance to apoptosis. Preventing APP from entering the distal secretory pathway, where most Abeta peptides are generated, by retaining APP in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER)/intermediate compartment (IC) increased the resistance of APP(FAD)-expressing cells to apoptosis and did not alter the resistance of APP(WT)-expressing cells. p53-mediated gene transactivation after apoptosis-inducing treatments was much stronger in APP(FAD) cells than in hAPP(WT) or hAPP(FAD/beta-) cells. In contrast, upon induction of ER stress, cells expressing APP(FAD), hAPP(FAD/beta-), or APP(WT) had comparable levels of glucose-regulated protein-78 mRNA, an unfolded protein response indicator. We conclude that Abeta, especially intracellular Abeta, counteracts the antiapoptotic function of its precursor protein and predisposes cells to p53-mediated, and possibly other, proapoptotic pathways.

Alzheimer Disease↗
PubMed2000

Expression of Alcaligenes eutrophus flavohemoprotein and engineered Vitreoscilla hemoglobin-reductase fusion protein for improved hypoxic growth of Escherichia coli.

Expression of the vhb gene encoding hemoglobin from Vitreoscilla sp. (VHb) in several organisms has been shown to improve microaerobic cell growth and enhance oxygen-dependent product formation. The amino-terminal hemoglobin domain of the flavohemoprotein (FHP) of the gram-negative hydrogen-oxidizing bacterium Alcaligenes eutrophus has 51% sequence homology with VHb. However, like other flavohemoglobins and unlike VHb, FHP possesses a second (carboxy-terminal) domain with NAD(P)H and flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD) reductase activities. To examine whether the carboxy-terminal redox-active site of flavohemoproteins can be used to improve the positive effects of VHb in microaerobic Escherichia coli cells, we fused sequences encoding NAD(P)H, FAD, or NAD(P)H-FAD reductase activities of A. eutrophus in frame after the vhb gene. Similarly, the gene for FHP was modified, and expression cassettes encoding amino-terminal hemoglobin (FHPg), FHPg-FAD, FHPg-NAD, or FHP activities were constructed. Biochemically active heme proteins were produced from all of these constructions in Escherichia coli, as indicated by their ability to scavenge carbon monoxide. The presence of FHP or of VHb-FAD-NAD reductase increased the final cell density of transformed wild-type E. coli cells approximately 50 and 75%, respectively, for hypoxic fed-batch culture relative to the control synthesizing VHb. Approximately the same final optical densities were achieved with the E. coli strains expressing FHPg and VHb. The presence of VHb-FAD or FHPg-FAD increased the final cell density slightly relative to the VHb-expressing control under the same cultivation conditions. The expression of VHb-NAD or FHPg-NAD fusion proteins reduced the final cell densities approximately 20% relative to the VHb-expressing control. The VHb-FAD-NAD reductase-expressing strain was also able to synthesize 2.3-fold more recombinant beta-lactamase relative to the VHb-expressing control.

Aerobiosis↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The Swedish APP670/671 Alzheimer's disease mutation: the first evidence for strikingly increased oxidative injury in the temporal inferior cortex.

To evaluate the level of oxidative stress (OS) in familial Alzheimer's disease (FAD), we analysed four cerebrocortical areas from patients with Swedish FAD bearing the APP670/671 mutation. The temporal inferior cortex (TIC) from Swedish FAD patients revealed a striking 2- to 3-fold increase in diene conjugates, lipid peroxides and protein carbonyls, compared to sporadic Alzheimer's disease (AD). Compared with TIC from sporadic AD patients, the mutation carriers showed a markedly decreased activity of catalase (CAT) in the same area, and the same trend was found for another antioxidant enzyme, superoxide dismutase. These results are consistent with the deep oxidative injury of TIC in Swedish FAD. In the frontal inferior cortex (FIC), sensory postcentral cortex (SPCC) and occipital primary cortex (OPC) from Swedish FAD, the parameters of oxidative injury tended to be higher than in sporadic AD. Only the increase in the levels of lipid hydroperoxides in SPCC and of protein carbonyls in OPC was significant. Compared to sporadic AD, Swedish FAD showed a significant increase in GSSG levels and the GSSG/2GSH ratio in the FIC, SPCC and OPC. A significantly decreased activity of CAT was detectable for the SPCC and OPC in Swedish FAD. Increased OS might play a crucial role in the rapid progression of Swedish FAD from the associative temporal cortex to the primary cerebrocortical areas.

Acatalasia↗
PubMed2006

The Zebrafish fade out mutant: a novel genetic model for Hermansky-Pudlak syndrome.

PURPOSE: To characterize retinal morphology and visual system function in the zebrafish mutant fade out (fad) and to establish the mutant as a lower vertebrate model for Hermansky-Pudlak syndrome (HPS). METHODS: Retinal morphology of fad larvae was examined between 3 and 9 days postfertilization (dpf) by standard histology, transmission electron microscopy, and immunohistochemistry examination. Apoptotic cells were visualized by TdT-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) staining. Visual system function was probed by electroretinography and behavioral assessment by optokinetic response measurements. Blood clotting was evaluated by time to occlusion testing of blood vessels as an arterial thrombosis assay. The chromosomal location of fad was determined by simple sequence-length polymorphism mapping. Genomic fragments of candidate genes were cloned by standard molecular techniques and mapped to the zebrafish genome by radiation hybrid mapping. RESULTS: Mutant fad larvae are hypopigmented and show structural defects in the outer retina. Melanosomes of these larvae in the retinal pigment epithelium are hypopigmented, generally smaller, and progressively reduced in number compared to nonmutant larvae. Progressive microvilli protrusions into the photoreceptor cell layer are not detectable, and photoreceptor outer segments get shorter and are misaligned. Photoreceptors subsequently undergo apoptosis, with a peak of cell death at 6 dpf. Electrical responses of the retina and visual performance are severely reduced. Blood clotting is prolonged in mutant fad larvae. Genomic mapping of fad reveals distinct genomic positions of the mutant gene from known human HPS genes. CONCLUSIONS: The fad mutant shows syndromic defects in pigmentation, outer retinal structure and function, and blood clotting. This syndrome is characteristic of Hermansky-Pudlak syndrome (HPS), making fad a novel genetic model of HPS. The gene does not cosegregate with the known human HPS genes, suggesting a novel molecular cause of HPS.

Animals↗
PubMed1969

Effect of flavin compounds on glutathione reductase activity: in vivo and in vitro studies.

Increases or decreases of red cell glutathione reductase (GR) have been described in connection with many clinical abnormalities. We find that GR activity as measured in hemolysates represents only a portion of the available GR activity. The addition of small amounts of flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD), but not of flavin mononucleotide or riboflavin, activates the GR of hemolysates. 1 muM FAD results in a maximal activation within 10 min; gradually increasing activation occurs at much lower, for example, 20 mmuM FAD concentrations. Once FAD has activated GR, dilution or dialysis does not reverse activation of the enzyme. Activation of GR by FAD can be inhibited by adenosine triphosphate (ATP), and to a lesser extent by adenosine diphosphate (ADP) and adenosine monophosphate (AMP), if these adenine nucleotides are added before the addition of FAD, but only to a slight extent if FAD is added before the adenine nucleotides. The addition of FAD to GR does not alter its electrophoretic mobility but produces intensification of the bands. The administration of 5 mg of riboflavin daily produces marked stimulation of red cell GR activity within only 2 days. After cessation of riboflavin administration, the GR activity again begins to fall. The degree of stimulation of GR activity by riboflavin is inversely correlated with the level of dietary riboflavin intake. The base line GR activity of normal individuals is directly correlated with the level of dietary riboflavin intake. The previously unexplained variations of glutathione reductase in health and disease must be reevaluated in light of the state of riboflavin nutrition and metabolism of the subject.

Adenine Nucleotides↗
PubMed1978

Metabolism of injected flavins studied by using double-labeled [14C]flavin adenine dinucleotide and [14C, 32P]flavin mononucleotide.

The metabolism of flavins in mouse was studied with [F-(2)-14C, A-(2,8)-14C]FAD and [F-(2)-14C, 32P]FMN. Ninety minutes after injection, radioactive isoalloxazine nucleus of double-labeled FAD was markedly incorporated into FAD, FMN and riboflavin in the liver, whereas a small amount of radioactive adenine nucleus of double-labeled FAD was found in FAD in the liver. In the case of FMN, radioactive isoalloxazine nucleus of double-labeled FMN was markedly incorporated into FAD, FMN and riboflavin in the liver, whereas only a minute amount of radioactive phosphorus was incorporated into FMN and FAD in the same organ. These results indicate that FMN and FAD injected are rapidly hydrolyzed and resynthesized in animal body.

Animals↗
PubMed2002

Riboflavin, flavin mononucleotide, and flavin adenine dinucleotide in human plasma and erythrocytes at baseline and after low-dose riboflavin supplementation.

BACKGROUND: Vitamin B(2) exists in blood as riboflavin and its cofactors, flavin mononucleotide (FMN) and FAD. The erythrocyte glutathione reductase activation coefficient (EGRAC) has traditionally been used to assess vitamin B(2) status in humans. We investigated the relationships of EGRAC and plasma and erythrocyte concentrations of riboflavin, FMN, and FAD in elderly volunteers and their responses to riboflavin administration. METHODS: EGRAC and plasma and erythrocyte concentrations of riboflavin, FMN, and FAD were determined in 124 healthy individuals with a mean age of 69 years. The same measurements were made in a subgroup of 46 individuals with EGRAC > or =1.20 who participated in a randomized double-blind 12-week intervention study and received riboflavin (1.6 mg/day; n = 23) or placebo (n = 23). RESULTS: Median plasma concentrations were 10.5 nmol/L for riboflavin, 6.6 nmol/L for FMN, and 74 nmol/L for FAD. In erythrocytes, there were only trace amounts of riboflavin, whereas median FMN and FAD concentrations were 44 and 469 nmol/L, respectively. Erythrocyte FMN and FAD correlated with each other and with EGRAC and plasma riboflavin (P <0.05). All variables except plasma FAD responded significantly to riboflavin supplementation compared with placebo (P < or =0.04). The strongest increases were for riboflavin in plasma (83%) and for FMN in erythrocytes (87%). CONCLUSIONS: Concentrations of all B(2) vitamers except plasma FAD are potential indicators of vitamin B(2) status, and plasma riboflavin and erythrocyte FMN may be useful for the assessment of vitamin B(2) status in population studies.

Aged↗
PubMed1992

[Mutations of amyloid precursor protein in early-onset familial Alzheimer's disease].

Genetic linkage studies of familial Alzheimer's disease (FAD) have suggested that some form of early-onset FAD is linked to proximal long arm of chromosome 21. It has been also suggested that some form of late-onset FAD is linked to long arm of chromosome 19. Goate et al have identified a mis-sense mutation (Val to Ile) in exon 17 of the amyloid precursor protein (APP) gene in 2 of 16 early-onset FAD families, and have shown that the FAD locus in an FAD family is tightly linked to the mis-sense mutation. To determine if the mis-sense mutation is observed in different ethnic origine, we have studied some early-onset FAD families. Two early-onset FAD families showed the existence of the mutation. As the mutation has been identified in different ethnic origine and the mutation has not been observed in normal individuals, it strengthen hypothesis that the mutation is pathogenic. Recently, Val to Phe and Val to Gly mutations have been also identified at the same codon (Codon 717) of the APP gene.

Alzheimer Disease↗
PubMed1984

Apoenzyme of Pseudomonas cepacia salicylate hydroxylase. Preparation, fluorescence property, and nature of flavin binding.

The apoenzyme of Pseudomonas cepacia salicylate hydroxylase was prepared by a dialysis method. The apoprotein retains a dimeric structure and binds one FAD per monomer. Flavin binding results in both 81 and 60% of quenching and 15- and 5-nm blue shifts of FAD and protein fluorescence, respectively. A hydrophobic environment for the flavin site and a conformational difference between apoprotein and holoenzyme are thus indicated. Prior binding of NADH markedly retards the holoenzyme activity development upon a subsequent FAD addition. Flavin 1,N6-ethenoadenine dinucleotide binds to the apoenzyme much more weakly than FAD but this reconstituted holoenzyme and the FAD X enzyme both exhibit similar activities. The adenine moiety appears to be important to binding. The formation of holoenzyme from apoprotein and FAD involves minimally a two-step reversible process, an initial flavin-binding step followed by a conformational transition. At both 6 and 23 degrees C, the rates of hydroxylase activity recovery can be correlated with the rates of FAD binding, indicating that the initial FAD X apoenzyme complex is fully active and the subsequent slow conformational change has no significant effect on the catalytic efficiency. Overall dissociation constants calculated based on kinetic data are essentially identical with those determined by equilibrium measurements.

Apoenzymes↗
PubMed2006

Apolipoprotein E epsilon4 and age at onset of sporadic and familial Alzheimer disease in Caribbean Hispanics.

BACKGROUND: The primary effect of the apolipoprotein E epsilon4 (APOE epsilon4) allele is on the age at onset of Alzheimer disease (AD). OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether the presence of the APOE epsilon4 allele can account for the earlier age at onset of familial AD (FAD) compared with sporadic AD (SAD). DESIGN: Population-based, case series ascertained in a prospective study of aging and dementia in Medicare recipients aged 65 years or older. SETTING: Clinics in northern Manhattan and in the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico. PARTICIPANTS: There were 680 Caribbean Hispanic subjects: 111 patients with FAD, with at least 1 family member with dementia; 163 patients with SAD; and 406 elderly persons without dementia or other illnesses. Main Outcome Measure Age at onset of dementia was examined in relation to frequency of APOE epsilon4. Sex, education, and medical risk factors for stroke, hypertension, diabetes, and heart disease were examined as effect modifiers. RESULTS: The mean age at onset of AD was significantly lower in FAD than in SAD, and a statistically significant dose effect of the APOE epsilon4 allele was present for age at onset in FAD (P = .001) but not in SAD. The age at onset in patients homozygous for the APOE epsilon4 allele with FAD and SAD was similar. Compared with SAD, the major difference was younger age at onset in patients with FAD who were heterozygous for the APOE epsilon4 allele and those without an APOE epsilon4 allele. CONCLUSIONS: Apolipoprotein E epsilon4 had a consistent lowering effect on age at onset of FAD, but this was attenuated in SAD. This suggests that among individuals with a family history of AD and the APOE epsilon4 allele, additional genetic or environmental factors may accelerate the onset of dementia.

Age of Onset↗
PubMed2000

Neurohormonal signalling pathways and the regulation of Alzheimer beta-amyloid metabolism.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is characterized by the intracranial accumulation of the 4 kDa amyloid beta peptide (A beta), following proteolysis of a approximately 700 amino acid, integral membrane precursor, the amyloid beta precursor protein (APP). The best evidence causally linking APP to AD has been provided by the discovery of mutations within the APP coding sequence that segregate with disease phenotypes in autosomal dominant forms of familial AD (FAD). Though FAD is rare (< 10% of all AD), the hallmark features--amyloid plaques, neurofibrillary tangles, synaptic and neuronal loss, neurotransmitter deficits, dementia--are indistinguishable when FAD is compared with typical, common, 'non-familial', or sporadic AD (SAD). Studies of some clinically relevant mutant APP molecules from FAD families have yielded evidence that APP mutations can lead to enhanced generation or aggregability of A beta, consistent with a pathogenic role in AD. Other genetic loci for FAD have been discovered which are distinct from the immediate regulatory and coding regions of the APP gene, indicating that defects in molecules other than APP can also specify cerebral amyloidogenesis and FAD. To date, all APP and non-APP FAD mutations can be demonstrated to have the common feature of promoting amyloidogenesis of A beta. Epidemiological studies indicate that postmenopausal women on oestrogen hormone replacement therapy (HRT) have their relative risk of developing SAD diminished by about one-third as compared with age-matched women not receiving HRT. Because of the key role of cerebral A beta accumulation in initiating AD pathology, it is most attractive that oestradiol might modulate SAD risk or age-at-onset by inhibiting A beta accumulation. A possible mechanistic basis for such a scenario is reviewed here.

Alzheimer Disease↗
PubMed2000

Are hereditary hemochromatosis mutations involved in Alzheimer disease?

Mutations in the class I-like major histocompatibility complex gene called HFE are associated with hereditary hemochromatosis (HHC), a disorder of excessive iron uptake. We screened DNA samples from patients with familial Alzheimer disease (FAD) (n = 26), adults with Down syndrome (DS) (n = 50), and older (n = 41) and younger (n = 52) healthy normal individuals, for two HHC point mutations-C282Y and H63D. Because the apolipoprotein E (ApoE) E4 allele is a risk factor for AD and possibly also for dementia of the AD type in DS, DNA samples were also ApoE genotyped. Chi-squared analyses were interpreted at the 0.05 level of significance without Bonferroni corrections. In the pooled healthy normal individuals, C282Y was negatively associated with ApoE E4, an effect also apparent in individuals with DS but not with FAD. Relative to older normals, ApoE E4 was overrepresented in both males and females with FAD, consistent with ApoE E4 being a risk factor for AD; HFE mutations were overrepresented in males and underrepresented in females with FAD. Strong gender effects on the distribution of HFE mutations were apparent in comparisons among ApoE E4 negative individuals in the FAD and healthy normal groups (P < 0.002). Our findings are consistent with the proposition that among ApoE E4 negative individuals HFE mutations are predisposing to FAD in males but are somewhat protective in females. Further, ApoE E4 effects in our FAD group are strongest in females lacking HFE mutations. Relative to younger normals there was a tendency for ApoE E4 and H63D to be overrepresented in males and underrepresented in females with DS. The possibility that HFE mutations are important new genetic risk factors for AD should be pursued further.

Adult↗