Intracellular ion changes induced by the exposure to beta-amyloid can be explained by the formation of channels in the lysosomal membranes

Abstract

In this manuscript, we reassess the data on beta-amyloid-induced changes of intracellular ions concentrations published previously by Abramov et al. (2003, 2004). Their observations made using high-resolution confocal microscopy with fast temporal resolution of images formed by fluorescent ion-sensitive fluorescent probes in living cells represent an unequivocal support for the amyloid channel theory. However, closer look reveals multiple facts which cannot be explained by channel formation in plasma membrane. Recently proposed amyloid degradation toxicity hypothesis provides the interpretation to these facts by considering that channels are formed in the lysosomal membranes.

Keywords: Beta-amyloid toxicity; Calcium homeostasis; Intracellular ion disturbances; Intracellular pH; Lysosome; Membrane channel; Proteolytic digestion.