Isolation and Characterization of Heparan Sulfate Containing Amyloid Precursor Protein Degradation Products

Numerous studies indicate that heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPGs) participate in a network of complex molecular events involving amyloid precursor protein (APP) processing and formation, oligomerization, intracellular targeting, clearance, and propagation of amyloid β in Alzheimer's disease (AD). A mutual functional interplay between recycling glypican-1 and APP processing has been demonstrated where the HS released from glypican-1 by a Cu/NO-ascorbate-dependent reaction forms a conjugate with APP degradation products and undergoes an endosome-nucleus-autophagosome co-trafficking. HS has been shown to display contradictory and dual effects in AD involving both prevention and promotion of amyloid β formation. It is therefore important to identify the source, detailed structural features as well as factors that favor formation of the neuroprotective forms of HS. Here, a method for isolation and identification of HS-containing APP degradation products has been described. The method is based on isolation of radiolabeled HS followed by identification of accompanying APP degradation products by SDS-PAGE and Western blotting.