Knockdown of amyloid precursor protein increases calcium levels in the endoplasmic reticulum

Familial Alzheimer's disease (AD) is caused by mutations in the genes that encode amyloid precursor protein (APP) and presenilins. Disturbances in calcium homeostasis have been observed in various cellular and animal models of AD and are proposed to underlie the pathogenesis of the disease. Furthermore, wildtype presenilins were shown to regulate endoplasmic reticulum (ER) calcium homeostasis, although their precise mechanism of action remains controversial. To investigate whether APP also affects ER calcium levels, we used RNA interference to target the APP gene in cultured T84 cells in combination with two types of ER calcium sensors. Using a genetically encoded calcium indicator, GEM-CEPIA1er, we found that APP-deficient cells exhibited elevated resting calcium levels in the ER and prolonged emptying of ER calcium stores upon the cyclopiazonic acid-induced inhibition of sarco-endoplasmic reticulum calcium-ATPase. These effects could be ascribed to lower ER calcium leakage rates. Consistent with these results, translocation of the endogenous ER calcium sensor STIM1 to its target channel Orai1 was delayed following ER calcium store depletion. Our data suggest a physiological function of APP in the regulation of ER calcium levels.