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MicroRNA regulation of Alzheimer's Amyloid precursor protein expression

Sébastien S Hébert1, Katrien Horré, Laura Nicolaï

  • 1Center for Human Genetics, KULeuven, Belgium.

Neurobiology of Disease
|December 27, 2008
PubMed

Insights

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) regulate Amyloid precursor protein (APP) expression, impacting Alzheimer's disease (AD) development. A decrease in miR-106b was observed in sporadic AD patients, suggesting miRNA involvement in disease pathogenesis.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Genetics
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Gene dosage effects of Amyloid precursor protein (APP) are linked to familial Alzheimer's disease (AD).
  • MicroRNA (miRNA) pathways, involved in gene regulation, are increasingly implicated in sporadic AD pathogenesis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of miRNAs in regulating APP gene expression.
  • To determine if specific miRNAs are involved in the development of sporadic AD.

Main Methods:

  • In vitro and endogenous assays in neuronal cell lines to assess miRNA regulation of APP.
  • Correlation analysis of miRNA and APP expression during brain development and neuronal differentiation.
  • Comparison of miRNA expression levels in sporadic AD patients versus controls.

Main Results:

  • MiRNAs from the miR-20a family (miR-20a, miR-17-5p, miR-106b) were shown to regulate APP expression.
  • A strong correlation between these miRNAs and APP expression was observed during brain development and in differentiating neurons.
  • A statistically significant decrease in miR-106b expression was detected in sporadic AD patients.

Conclusions:

  • MiRNAs are identified as novel endogenous regulators of APP expression.
  • Variations in miRNA expression may contribute to altered APP levels during brain development and in AD.
  • Reduced miR-106b expression in sporadic AD patients supports the role of miRNAs in the disease.

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