A rescue factor abolishing neuronal cell death by a wide spectrum of familial Alzheimer's disease genes and Abeta

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2001 May 22;98(11):6336-41. doi: 10.1073/pnas.101133498.

Abstract

Through functional expression screening, we identified a gene, designated Humanin (HN) cDNA, which encodes a short polypeptide and abolishes death of neuronal cells caused by multiple different types of familial Alzheimer's disease genes and by Abeta amyloid, without effect on death by Q79 or superoxide dismutase-1 mutants. Transfected HN cDNA was transcribed to the corresponding polypeptide and then was secreted into the cultured medium. The rescue action clearly depended on the primary structure of HN. This polypeptide would serve as a molecular clue for the development of new therapeutics for Alzheimer's disease targeting neuroprotection.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Alzheimer Disease / genetics*
  • Alzheimer Disease / pathology*
  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Amyloid beta-Protein Precursor / genetics*
  • Amyloid beta-Protein Precursor / physiology
  • Cell Death
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Extracellular Space
  • Humans
  • Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Neurons / pathology*
  • Peptides / genetics
  • Poly A
  • Proteins / genetics
  • Proteins / physiology*
  • Superoxide Dismutase / genetics
  • Superoxide Dismutase-1

Substances

  • Amyloid beta-Protein Precursor
  • Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
  • Peptides
  • Proteins
  • SOD1 protein, human
  • humanin
  • Poly A
  • Superoxide Dismutase
  • Superoxide Dismutase-1

Associated data

  • GENBANK/AY029066