Decreasing the expression of PICALM reduces endocytosis and the activity of β-secretase: implications for Alzheimer's disease.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Polymorphisms in the gene for phosphatidylinositol binding clathrin assembly protein (PICALM), an endocytic-related protein, are associated with a small, increased risk of developing Alzheimer's disease (AD), strongly suggesting that changes in endocytosis are involved in the aetiology of the disease. We have investigated the involvement of PICALM in the processing of amyloid precursor protein (APP) to understand how PICALM could be linked to the development of AD. We used siRNA to deplete levels of PICALM, its isoforms and clathrin heavy chain in the human brain-derived H4 neuroglioma cell line that expresses endogenous levels of APP. We then used Western blotting, ELISA and immunohistochemistry to detect intra- and extracellular protein levels of endocytic-related prot

SUBMITTER: Thomas RS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4949774 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature