Role of A beta and the alpha 7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor in regulating synaptic plasticity in Alzheimer’s disease

Authors: David H. Small1; Lisa R. Fodero2; Dusan Losic3; Cindy Chu4; Marie-Isabel Aguilar5; Lisandra L. Martin6; Mary Chebib4

Source: Letters in Peptide Science, Volume 10, Number 5, 2003 , pp. 401-404(4)

Publisher: Springer

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Abstract:

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is caused by the accumulation of beta-amyloid protein (Abeta) in the brain. The aggregation of beta-amyloid protein to higher molecular weight fibrillar forms is also considered to be an important step in the pathogenesis of the disease. The memory problems associated with AD are likely to be caused by changes in synaptic plasticity. Recent studies suggest that Abeta binds to the alpha 7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (alpha 7 nAChR), which plays an important role in synaptic plasticity and memory. A loop domain localized towards the C-terminus of the extracellular region of the receptor has been identified as forming part of a putative Abeta-binding site. In cell culture experiments, the binding of Abeta to the alpha 7 nAChR has been found to cause an increase in the level of acetylcholinesterase, which is also increased around amyloid plaques in the AD brain. These studies indicate that the Abeta-binding site on the alpha 7 nAChR receptor is an important new target for therapeutic development in AD.

Keywords: Alzheimer’s disease; amyloid; atomic force microscopy; nicotinic; synaptic plasticity

Document Type: Research article

DOI: 10.1007/s10989-004-2390-y

Affiliations: 1: Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Victoria 3800, Australia (), Email: david.small@med.monash.edu.au 2: Department of Pathology, University of Melbourne, Victoria, Parkville, 3052, Australia 3: School of Chemistry Physics & Earth Sciences, Flinders University of South Australia, SA, 5042, Australia 4: Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Sydney, NSW, Australia 5: Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Victoria 3800, Australia 6: School of Chemistry, Monash University, Victoria, 3800, Australia

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