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RNA-Binding Activity of PHGDH Drives Amyloid-beta Production in A Human Brain Organoid Model of Sporadic Alzheimer’s Disease

ABSTRACT: Pathological progression in sporadic Alzheimer’s disease (sAD) initiates with an early rise in soluble amyloid-β (Aβ), preceding plaque formation and neurodegeneration. However, the molecular event triggering this initial accumulation remains unknown. We report that phosphoglycerate dehydrogenase (PHGDH), a consistent biomarker of prodromal sAD, drives Aβ production through a previously unrecognized RNA-binding function. Specifically, PHGDH binds the 3′UTR of EIF2AK1 mRNA, enabling the physical interaction between PHGDH and the EIF2AK1 protein. By facilitating the recruitment of EIF2AK1 to its substrate EIF2α, this complex drives EIF2α phosphorylation, thereby selectively promoting the translation of BACE1, the rate-limiting enzyme for Aβ generation. We demonstrate that PHGDH overexpression elevates BACE1 protein and intracellular Aβ (iAβ) in neurons and astrocytes across mouse models and human brain organoids, independent of its canonical enzymatic or transcriptional roles. Mechanistically, this process requires a specific RNA-binding surface within PHGDH and the EIF2AK1 3′UTR. These findings define a PHGDH-EIF2AK1-EIF2α-BACE1 axis as a key driver of the earliest amyloid pathology in sAD.

ORGANISM(S): Homo sapiens

PROVIDER: GSE302314 | GEO | 2026/01/30

REPOSITORIES: GEO

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Project description:D-3-Phosphoglycerate dehydrogenase (Phgdh; EC 1.1.1.95) is a necessary enzyme for de novo L-serine biosynthesis via the phosphorylated pathway. We demonstrated previously that Phgdh is expressed exclusively by neuroepithelium and radial glia in developing mouse brain and later mainly by astrocytes. Mutations in the human PHGDH gene cause serine deficiency disorders (SDD) associated with severe neurological symptoms such as congenital microcephaly, psychomotor retardation, and intractable seizures. We recently demonstrated that genetically engineered mice, in which the gene for Phgdh has been disrupted, have significantly decreased levels of serine and glycine, and exhibit malformation of brain such as microcephaly. The Phgdh null (KO) embryos exhibit lethal phenotype after gestational day 14, indicating that the phosphorylated pathway is essential for embryogenesis, especially for brain development. It is worth noting that the Phgdh knockout (KO) embryos primarily displayed microcephaly, which is the most conspicuous phenotype of patients with SDD. Thus, Phgdh KO mice are a useful animal model for studying the effect of diminished L-serine levels on development of the central nervous system and other organs. To better understand the mechanism underlying the molecular pathogenesis of SDD, we sought to examine whether gene expression is altered in the Phgdh KO mouse model. We identify genes that have altered expression in the head of the Phgdh KO embryos using the GeneChip array. Some of the genes identified by this method belong in functional categories that are relevant to the biochemical and morphological aberrations of the Phgdh deletion. Experiment Overall Design: Total RNA samples were prepared from head tissues from 2 embryos of Phgdh knockout and littermate wild-type controls. Experiment Overall Design: RNA of 4 biological replicates was hybridized to Affymetrix Mouse Genome 430 2.0 arrays. Five microgram total RNA was labelled according to the ENZO-protocol, fragmented and hybridized according to Affymetrix's protocols.

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RNA-Binding Activity of PHGDH Drives Amyloid-beta Production in A Human Brain Organoid Model of Sporadic Alzheimer’s Disease

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