INVOLVEMENT OF CLATHRIN LIGHT-CHAINS IN THE PATHOLOGY OF PICKS-DISEASE - IMPLICATION FOR IMPAIRMENT OF AXONAL-TRANSPORT

Clathrin, which constitutes coated Vesicles and plays important roles in neuronal functions, has been reported to be involved in the patholo gy of Alzheimer's disease. In the brains of the patients with Pick's d isease, distribution of clathrin was immunohistochemically investigate d using monoclonal antibodies binding to different epitopes of clathri n light chain a and b. All the antibodies intensely labeled Pick's bod y and some perikarya of neurons, indicating impairment of slow axonal transport b (SCb). Antibodies against neurofilament, kinesin and synap tophysin also labeled Pick's body. These observations suggested impair ment of axonal transport in the brains with Pick's disease, and might contribute to elucidating the pathology of Pick's body forming. It is implied that common pathological processes might lie in Alzheimer's di sease and Pick's disease.