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Binding between Prion Protein and Aβ Oligomers Contributes to the Pathogenesis of Alzheimer's Disease

Chang Kong1,2,3, Hao Xie1, Zhenxing Gao2

  • 1School of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Life Sciences, Wuhan University of Technology, Wuhan, 430070, China.

Virologica Sinica
|May 17, 2019
PubMed

Insights

Cellular prion protein (PrPC) is implicated in Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathogenesis. Microbe infections may trigger Aβ deposition and PrPC upregulation, leading to neurodegeneration via Fyn signaling activation.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Biochemistry
  • Pathology

Background:

  • Protein misfolding and aggregation are key in neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's disease (AD).
  • AD shares characteristics with prion diseases, including strain specificity and transmission potential, suggesting infectious aspects.
  • Cellular prion protein (PrPC) is increasingly recognized for its role in AD pathogenesis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review AD pathogenesis and highlight the contribution of PrPC.
  • To propose a mechanism linking microbial infections to AD development.
  • To explore PrPC as a therapeutic target for AD.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of AD pathogenesis and PrPC involvement.
  • Analysis of proposed mechanisms for infectious agents in AD.
  • Discussion of PrPC-Aβ interactions and downstream signaling.

Main Results:

  • Microbial infections can induce amyloid-beta (Aβ) deposition and increase PrPC levels.
  • Aβ oligomers bind with high affinity to PrPC.
  • This interaction activates the Fyn signaling cascade, leading to neuronal death in the central nervous system (CNS).

Conclusions:

  • PrPC plays a critical role in AD pathogenesis, potentially mediating neurodegeneration initiated by microbial infections.
  • The PrPC-Aβ interaction activates Fyn signaling, contributing to neuronal death.
  • Silencing PrPC expression may represent a viable therapeutic strategy for PrPC-dependent AD.
Keywords:
Alzheimer’s disease (AD)Amyloid-β proteinCellular prion protein (PrPC)Neurodegenerative disease

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