GADD45 IS INDUCED IN ALZHEIMERS-DISEASE, AND PROTECTS AGAINST APOPTOSIS IN-VITRO

Expression of the growth arrest DNA damage-inducible protein, GADD45, has recently been reported to be induced by a wide range of stimuli, e specially those that produce a high level of base pair damage. We have investigated the expression of GADD45 in brain tissue obtained from p atients suffering from Alzheimer's disease (AD). Our results demonstra te that many neurons express the GADD45 protein, and that expression o f this protein in neurons is associated with expression of the anti-ap optotic protein Bcl-2, and the presence of DNA damage, but not closely associated with tangle-bearing neurons. Additionally, cell lines over expressing this protein confer resistance to apoptosis induced by DNA damage agent, suggesting that this protein may participate in cell sur vival mechanisms. (C) 1998 Academic Press.