Apolipoprotein E receptors: linking brain development and Alzheimer's disease

Nat Rev Neurosci. 2000 Oct;1(1):51-8. doi: 10.1038/35036221.

Abstract

Alzheimer's disease is a debilitating neurodegenerative disorder that afflicts an increasing part of our ageing population. An isoform of apolipoprotein E, a protein that mediates the transport of lipids and cholesterol in the circulatory system, predisposes carriers of this allele to the common late-onset form of the disease. How this protein is related to a neurodegenerative disorder is an enigma. Mounting evidence indicates that apolipoprotein E receptors, which are abundantly expressed in most neurons in the central nervous system, also fulfill critical functions during brain development and may profoundly influence the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Alzheimer Disease / genetics*
  • Amyloid beta-Peptides / physiology
  • Amyloid beta-Protein Precursor / physiology*
  • Animals
  • Apolipoproteins E / physiology
  • Brain / growth & development*
  • Humans
  • Low Density Lipoprotein Receptor-Related Protein-1
  • Peptide Fragments / physiology
  • Receptors, LDL / physiology*
  • Receptors, Lipoprotein / physiology*
  • tau Proteins / physiology

Substances

  • Amyloid beta-Peptides
  • Amyloid beta-Protein Precursor
  • Apolipoproteins E
  • Low Density Lipoprotein Receptor-Related Protein-1
  • Peptide Fragments
  • Receptors, LDL
  • Receptors, Lipoprotein
  • amyloid beta-protein (29-40)
  • tau Proteins