Premium
Posttranslational modification impact on the mechanism by which amyloid‐β induces synaptic dysfunction
Author(s) -
Grochowska Katarzyna M,
Yuanxiang PingAn,
Bär Julia,
Raman Rajeev,
Brugal Gemma,
Sahu Giriraj,
Schweizer Michaela,
Bikbaev Arthur,
Schilling Stephan,
Demuth HansUlrich,
Kreutz Michael R
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
embo reports
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 4.584
H-Index - 184
eISSN - 1469-3178
pISSN - 1469-221X
DOI - 10.15252/embr.201643519
Subject(s) - synaptic plasticity , synaptic fatigue , proinflammatory cytokine , neuroscience , long term potentiation , amyloid precursor protein , neurotransmission , microbiology and biotechnology , biology , amyloid (mycology) , synapse , chemistry , alzheimer's disease , biochemistry , inflammation , disease , immunology , medicine , receptor , botany
Oligomeric amyloid‐β (Aβ) 1‐42 disrupts synaptic function at an early stage of Alzheimer's disease ( AD ). Multiple posttranslational modifications of Aβ have been identified, among which N‐terminally truncated forms are the most abundant. It is not clear, however, whether modified species can induce synaptic dysfunction on their own and how altered biochemical properties can contribute to the synaptotoxic mechanisms. Here, we show that a prominent isoform, pyroglutamated Aβ3( pE )‐42, induces synaptic dysfunction to a similar extent like Aβ1‐42 but by clearly different mechanisms. In contrast to Aβ1‐42, Aβ3( pE )‐42 does not directly associate with synaptic membranes or the prion protein but is instead taken up by astrocytes and potently induces glial release of the proinflammatory cytokine TNF α. Moreover, Aβ3( pE )‐42‐induced synaptic dysfunction is not related to NMDAR signalling and Aβ3( pE )‐42‐induced impairment of synaptic plasticity cannot be rescued by D1‐agonists. Collectively, the data point to a scenario where neuroinflammatory processes together with direct synaptotoxic effects are caused by posttranslational modification of soluble oligomeric Aβ and contribute synergistically to the onset of synaptic dysfunction in AD.