Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 20, 2026

In Vitro Assay to Measure Phosphatidylethanolamine Methyltransferase Activity
Published on: January 5, 2016
Phosphatidylethanolamine plasmalogen enhances the inhibiting effect of phosphatidylethanolamine on γ-secretase
Tomoko Onodera1, Eugene Futai1, Eiichiro Kan1
1Department of Microbial Biotechnology and Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, Graduate School of Agricultural Science, Tohoku University, 1-1 Tsutsumidori-Amamiyamachi, Sendai 981-8555, Japan; and Department of Human Health and Nutrition, Graduate School of Comprehensive Human Sciences, Shokei Gakuin University, Yurigaoka 4-10-1, Natori 981-1295, Japan.
Abstract:
Plasmalogens (Pls) are widely distributed in the biological membrane of animals and certain anaerobic bacteria, but their functions in the cell membrane are still poorly understood. Decrease of phosphatidylethanolamine plasmalogen (PEPls) in the brain tissue of patients with Alzheimer's disease prompted us to investigate the effect of the membrane phosphorus lipid composition on the activity of γ-secretase that produces amyloid-beta protein (Aβ). To clarify the effect of phospholipids, including PEPls, on Aβ production, γ-secretase activity was measured in an in vitro assay using yeast microsomes and reconstituted liposomes. The presence of ethanolamine phospholipids in the proteoliposome weakened γ-secretase activity. In addition, increased PEPls content in total ethanolamine phospholipids further decreased the enzyme activity, indicating that γ-secretase activity is affected by the membrane phospholipid PEPls/PE ratio. Furthermore, PEPls from anaerobic bacterial cell membrane induced the same effect on γ-secretase activity.
More Related Videos
06:40Quantitative Measurement of γ-Secretase-mediated Amyloid Precursor Protein and Notch Cleavage in Cell-based Luciferase Reporter Assay Platforms
Published on: January 25, 2018
10:31A Liposome Membrane Permeability Assay for Investigating the Effects of Phosphatidylinositol Phosphate Groups on Membranotropic Action of Venom PLA2
Published on: September 26, 2025
Related Concept Videos
Synthesis of Phosphatidylcholine in the ER Membrane
The major components of all eukaryotic cell...
IP3/DAG Signaling Pathway
Amplifying Signals via Enzymatic Cascade
Phosphoinositides and PIPs
Different phosphoinositides are synthesized and recruited on the cytosolic face of the plasma membrane. The localization of specific phosphoinositides concentrated in separate membrane...
Indirect-Acting Cholinergic Agonists: Mechanism of Action
Reversible inhibitors like edrophonium bind to a specific part of the enzyme called the anionic catalytic site. They form noncovalent bonds, which means they are not strongly attached to the enzyme. This creates a temporary and less stable enzyme–inhibitor complex,...
Protein Kinases and Phosphatases
Protein kinases
Many proteins in the cell are regulated by phosphorylation, the addition of a phosphate group. A family of enzymes called kinases...