Modulation of 5-lipoxygenase in proteotoxicity and Alzheimer's disease

The accumulation of intracellular β amyloid (Aβ) may be one of the factors leading to neuronal cell death in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Using a pyrazole called CNB-001, which was selected for its ability to reduce intracellular Aβ, we show that the activation of the eIF2α/ATF4 arm of the unfolded protein response is sufficient to degrade aggregated intracellular Aβ. CNB-001 is a potent inhibitor of 5-lipoxygenase (5-LOX), decreases 5-LOX expression, and increases proteasome activity. 5-LOX inhibition induces eIF2α and PERK (protein kinase R-like extracellular signal-regulated kinase) phosphorylation, and HSP90 and ATF4 levels. When fed to AD transgenic mice, CNB-001 also increases eIF2α phosphorylation and HSP90 and ATF4 levels, and limits the accumulation of soluble Aβ and ubiquitinated aggregated proteins. Finally, CNB-001 maintains the expression of synapse-associated proteins and improves memory. Therefore, 5-LOX metabolism is a key element in the promotion of endoplasmic reticulum dysfunction, and its inhibition under conditions of stress is sufficient to reduce proteotoxicity both in vivo and in vitro.