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p35/Cdk5 pathway mediates soluble amyloid‐β peptide‐induced tau phosphorylation in vitro
Author(s) -
Town Terrence,
Zolton Joseph,
Shaffner Reed,
Schnell Billy,
Crescentini Robert,
Wu Yajuan,
Zeng Jin,
DelleDonne Anthony,
Obregon Demian,
Tan Jun,
Mullan Mike
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
journal of neuroscience research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.72
H-Index - 160
eISSN - 1097-4547
pISSN - 0360-4012
DOI - 10.1002/jnr.10299
Subject(s) - cyclin dependent kinase 5 , phosphorylation , senile plaques , tau protein , kinase , chemistry , activator (genetics) , calpain , neurite , microbiology and biotechnology , in vitro , biology , protein kinase a , alzheimer's disease , biochemistry , cyclin dependent kinase 2 , medicine , enzyme , disease , gene
Abstract Alzheimer's disease (AD) is pathologically characterized by deposition of amyloid‐β peptides (Aβ) as senile plaques and by the occurrence of neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs) composed primarily of hyperphosphorylated tau protein. Activation of cyclin‐dependent kinase 5 (Cdk5) via its potent activator p25 has recently been shown to promote phosphorylation of tau at AD‐specific phosphoepitopes, and increased cleavage of p35 to p25 has been demonstrated in AD patients, suggesting that Cdk5 may represent a pathogenic tau protein kinase. We were interested in the potential effect of soluble forms of Aβ on Cdk5‐mediated AD‐like tau phosphorylation, insofar as previous studies of human biopsies and aged canine and primate brains have shown that dystrophic neurites appear before the formation of neuritic plaques. We transfected N2a cells with a p35 vector (N2a/p35 cells) and, after differentiation, challenged these cells with Aβ 1–42 peptide in soluble form (sAβ 1–42 ). Results show that sAβ 1–42 at relatively low levels (1–5 μM) dose‐dependently increases tau phosphorylation at AD‐specific phosphoepitopes in differentiated N2a/p35 cells compared with controls, an effect that is blocked by antisense oligonucleotides against p35. sAβ 1–42 ‐induced tau phosphorylation is concomitant with an increase in both p25 to p35 ratio and Cdk5 activity (but not protein levels). Additionally, blockade of L‐type calcium channels or inhibition of calpain completely abolishes this effect. Taken together, these data indicate that sAβ is a potent activator of the p25/Cdk5 pathway, resulting in promotion of AD‐like tau phosphorylation in vitro. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.