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Updated: Jun 16, 2026

Identification of Intracellular Signaling Events Induced in Viable Cells by Interaction with Neighboring Cells Undergoing Apoptotic Cell Death
Published on: December 27, 2016
I(2)(PP2A) regulates p53 and Akt correlatively and leads the neurons to abort apoptosis
Gong-Ping Liu1, Wei Wei, Xin Zhou
1Pathophysiology Department, Key Laboratory of Neurological Disease of Education Committee of China, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, PR China.
Abstract:
A chronic neuron loss is the cardinal pathology in Alzheimer disease (AD), but it is still not understood why most neurons in AD brain do not accomplish apoptosis even though they are actually exposed to an environment with enriched proapoptotic factors. Protein phosphatase-2A inhibitor-2 (I(2)(PP2A)), an endogenous PP2A inhibitor, is significantly increased in AD brain, but the role of I(2)(PP2A) in AD-like neuron loss is elusive. Here, we show that I(2)(PP2A) regulates p53 and Akt correlatively. The mechanisms involve activated transcription and p38 MAPK activities. More importantly, we demonstrate that the simultaneous activation of Akt induced by I(2)(PP2A) counteracts the hyperactivated p53-induced cell apoptosis. Furthermore, I(2)(PP2A), p53 and Akt are all elevated in the brain of mouse model and AD patients. Our results suggest that the increased I(2)(PP2A) may trigger apoptosis by p53 upregulation, but due to simultaneous activation of Akt, the neurons are aborted from the apoptotic pathway. This finding contributes to the understanding of why most neurons in AD brain do not undergo apoptosis.
Insights
Protein phosphatase-2A inhibitor-2 (I(2)(PP2A)) increases in Alzheimer disease (AD) brains, triggering p53 but also Akt. This Akt activation prevents neuron apoptosis, explaining neuron survival despite pro-apoptotic factors in AD.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cell Biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Alzheimer disease (AD) is characterized by chronic neuron loss.
- The precise mechanisms preventing neuron apoptosis in AD, despite pro-apoptotic factors, remain unclear.
- The role of Protein phosphatase-2A inhibitor-2 (I(2)(PP2A)) in AD-related neurodegeneration is not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of I(2)(PP2A) in AD-like neuron loss.
- To elucidate the molecular mechanisms by which I(2)(PP2A) influences neuronal survival pathways.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of I(2)(PP2A), p53, and Akt levels in AD brains and mouse models.
- Investigating the interplay between I(2)(PP2A), p53, Akt, and MAPK signaling pathways.
- Assessing the impact of I(2)(PP2A) on neuronal apoptosis.
Main Results:
- I(2)(PP2A) levels are elevated in AD brains and mouse models.
- I(2)(PP2A) positively regulates both p53 and Akt pathways via transcription and p38 MAPK.
- Simultaneous activation of Akt by I(2)(PP2A) counteracts p53-induced apoptosis, preventing neuron death.
Conclusions:
- Increased I(2)(PP2A) in AD may initiate apoptosis through p53 upregulation.
- However, concurrent Akt activation by I(2)(PP2A) aborts the apoptotic pathway, leading to neuron survival.
- This dual action of I(2)(PP2A) contributes to understanding why neurons persist despite the AD environment.
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