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Genetic inactivation of p62 leads to accumulation of hyperphosphorylated tau and neurodegeneration
Author(s) -
Ramesh Babu J.,
Lamar Seibenhener M.,
Peng Junmin,
Strom AnnaLena,
Kemppainen Robert,
Cox Nancy,
Zhu Haining,
Wooten Michael C.,
DiazMeco María T.,
Moscat Jorge,
Wooten Marie W.
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
journal of neurochemistry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.75
H-Index - 229
eISSN - 1471-4159
pISSN - 0022-3042
DOI - 10.1111/j.1471-4159.2008.05340.x
Subject(s) - neurodegeneration , gsk 3 , kinase , biology , protein kinase a , microbiology and biotechnology , phosphorylation , neurotrophic factors , presenilin , alzheimer's disease , glycogen synthase , biochemistry , medicine , disease , receptor
The signaling adapter p62 plays a coordinating role in mediating phosphorylation and ubiquitin‐dependent trafficking of interacting proteins. However, there is little known about the physiologic role of this protein in brain. Here, we report age‐dependent constitutive activation of glycogen synthase kinase 3β, protein kinase B, mitogen‐activated protein kinase, and c‐ Jun ‐N‐terminal kinase in adult p62 −/− mice resulting in hyperphosphorylated tau, neurofibrillary tangles, and neurodegeneration. Biochemical fractionation of p62 −/− brain led to recovery of aggregated K63‐ubiquitinated tau. Loss of p62 was manifested by increased anxiety, depression, loss of working memory, and reduced serum brain‐derived neurotrophic factor levels. Our findings reveal a novel role for p62 as a chaperone that regulates tau solubility thereby preventing tau aggregation. This study provides a clear demonstration of an Alzheimer‐like phenotype in a mouse model in the absence of expression of human genes carrying mutations in amyloid‐beta protein precursor, presenilin, or tau. Thus, these findings provide new insight into manifestation of sporadic Alzheimer disease and the impact of obesity.