HYPOTHESES ON THE IMPLICATION OF APOLIPOP ROTEINS IN ALZHEIMERS-DISEASE

Citation
H. Blain et al., HYPOTHESES ON THE IMPLICATION OF APOLIPOP ROTEINS IN ALZHEIMERS-DISEASE, La Presse medicale, 25(16), 1996, pp. 763-768
Citations number
35
Categorie Soggetti
Medicine, General & Internal
Journal title
ISSN journal
07554982
Volume
25
Issue
16
Year of publication
1996
Pages
763 - 768
Database
ISI
SICI code
0755-4982(1996)25:16<763:HOTIOA>2.0.ZU;2-1
Abstract
The most promising discovery in the study of Alzheimer's disease (AD) markers is undoubtedly the implication of apolipoprotein E (apoE). The gene of this apoliprotein is located on chromosome 19 and is characte rized by three common alleles is an element of 2, is an element of 3 a nd is an element of 4 giving raise to 6 genotypes and 6 protein phenot ypes. ApoE is well known for its role in cholesterol transport, Differ ent studies have been performed, giving major arguments in favor of an important role of apoE in the pathophysiology of AD, These include th e discovery of the relationship between the is an element of 4 allele and AD, the ability of this protein to form complexes with beta amyloi d protein (A beta) in seniles plates, its presence in neurofibrillary tangles and in vessels of AD patients, Another important finding is th e differential interaction between the different isoforms of apoE and tan protein, Some of the hypotheses implicate the role of different ap oE isoforms on the growth and extension of neurones, perhaps by a rece ptor mediated pathway. It has been suggested that apoE acts as a patho logical chaperone protein, or alternatively that it protects neurons b y regulation of the cell membrane and modifying calcium homeostasis. I t is clear that apoE genotype determination alone cannot be used for d iagnosis of AD. The presence of is an element of 4 allele is only one of several risk factors for the development of the disease, Other fact ors may also be implicated and are the subject of ongoing research.