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Changes in caspase expression in Alzheimer's disease: comparison with development and aging
S Shimohama1, H Tanino, S Fujimoto
1Department of Neurology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Sakyoku, 606, Japan. i53367@sakura.kudpc.kyoto-u.ac.jp
Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications
|March 18, 1999
Summary
Alzheimer
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Molecular Biology
- Gerontology
Background:
- Caspase-2 and -3 are key enzymes in apoptosis.
- Their role in Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathogenesis is not fully understood.
- Understanding their expression in AD is crucial for therapeutic development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the protein levels of caspase-2 and -3 in Alzheimer's disease brains.
- To compare these levels with those during normal brain development and aging.
- To elucidate the differential regulation of caspase-2 and -3 in AD.
Main Methods:
- Western blot analysis was used to quantify caspase-2 and -3 protein levels.
- Brain samples from Alzheimer's disease patients and age-matched controls were analyzed.
- Protein expression was also examined in rat brains across different developmental and aging stages.
Main Results:
- Caspase-2 and -3 protein levels were significantly elevated in Alzheimer's disease brains.
- Caspase-2 increased in the particulate fraction, while caspase-3 increased in both cytosolic and particulate fractions.
- Developmental and aging studies revealed distinct expression patterns for caspase-2 and -3, differing from AD.
Conclusions:
- Caspase-2 and -3 are upregulated in Alzheimer's disease brains.
- The changes observed in Alzheimer's disease differ from those seen in normal aging.
- These findings highlight the specific involvement of caspases in Alzheimer's disease pathology.