• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.276-282
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• 2019

${\beta}$-amyloid precursor protein (APP) can be cleaved by ${\alpha}$-, and ${\gamma}$-secretase at plasma membrane producing soluble ectodomain fragment ($sAPP{\alpha}$). Alternatively, following endocytosis, APP is cleaved by ${\beta}$-, and ${\gamma}$-secretase at early endosomes generating ${\beta}$-amyloid ($A{\beta}$), the main culprit in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Thus, APP endocytosis is critical for $A{\beta}$ production. Recently, we reported that Monsonia angustifolia, the indigenous vegetables consumed in Tanzania, improved cognitive function and decreased $A{\beta}$ production. In this study, we examined the underlying mechanism of justicidin A, the active compound of M. angustifolia, on $A{\beta}$ production. We found that justicidin A reduced endocytosis of APP, increasing $sAPP{\alpha}$ level, while decreasing $A{\beta}$ level in HeLa cells overexpressing human APP with the Swedish mutation. The effect of justicidin A on $A{\beta}$ production was blocked by endocytosis inhibitors, indicating that the decreased APP endocytosis by justicidin A is the underlying mechanism. Thus, justicidin A, the active compound of M. angustifolia, may be a novel agent for AD treatment.

• Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
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• v.21 no.12
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• pp.38.1-38.9
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• 2018

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a disturbing and advanced neurodegenerative disease and is characterized pathologically by the accumulation of amyloid beta ($A{\beta}$) and the hyperphosphorylation of tau proteins in the brain. The deposition of $A{\beta}$ aggregates triggers synaptic dysfunction, and neurodegeneration, which lead to cognitive disorders. Here, we found that FF isolated from an eatable perennial brown seaweed E.bicyclis protect against $A{\beta}$-induced neurotoxicity in neuroblastoma cells stably transfected with two amyloid precursor protein (APP) constructs: the APP695 cDNA (SH-SY5Y-APP695swe). The FF demonstrated strong inhibitory activity for ${\beta}$-secretase ($IC_{50}$ $16.1{\mu}M$) and its inhibition pattern was investigated using Lineweaver-Burk and Dixon plots, and found to be non-competitive. Then, we tested whether FF could inhibit production of $A{\beta}$ in SH-SY5Y-APP695swe. FF inhibited the production of $A{\beta}$ and soluble-APP, residue of APP from cleaved APP by ${\beta}$-secretase. Our data show that FF can inhibit the production of $A{\beta}$ and soluble-$APP{\beta}$ via inhibition of ${\beta}$-secretase activity. Taken together these results suggest that FF may be worthy of future study as an anti-AD treatment.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.195-200
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• 2009

Zinc released from excited glutamatergic neurons accelerates amyloid ${\beta}$ (A ${\beta}$) aggregation, underscoring the therapeutic potential of zinc chelation for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Zinc can also alter A ${\beta}$ concentration by affecting its degradation. In order to elucidate the possible role of zinc influx in secretase-processed A ${\beta}$ production, SH-SY5Y cells stably expressing amyloid precursor protein (APP) were treated with pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (PDTC), a zinc ionophore, and the resultant changes in APP processing were examined. PDTC decreased A ${\beta}$ 40 and A ${\beta}$ 42 concentrations in culture media bathing APP-expressing SH-SY5Y cells. Measuring the levels of a series of C-terminal APP fragments generated by enzymatic cutting at different APP-cleavage sites showed that both ${\beta}$-and ${\alpha}$-cleavage of APP were inhibited by zinc influx. PDTC also interfered with the maturation of APP. PDTC, however, paradoxically increased the intracellular levels of A ${\beta}$ 40. These results indicate that inhibition of secretase-mediated APP cleavage accounts -at least in part- for zinc inhibition of A ${\beta}$ secretion.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.57-62
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• 2013

Alzheimer's disease (AD), one of the most common forms of dementia, is characterized pathologically by the presence of intracellular neurofibrillary tangles and deposition of ${\beta}$-amyloid ($A{\beta}$) peptides of 40-42 residues, which are generated by processing of amyloid precursor protein (APP). $A{\beta}$ has been believed to be neurotoxic and now is also considered to have a role on the mechanism of memory dysfunction. Here, we show that MeOH extract from stem bark of Platycarya strobilacea Sieb. et. Zucc. (PSM) affects on the processing of APP from the APPswe over-expressing Neuro2a cell line. We found that PSM may regulate the processing of APP and increase the sAPP${\alpha}$. PSM does not change the protein level of presenilin and nicastrin, however, it reduces the protein expression level of BACE1. In addition, PSM reduces the secretion level of $A{\beta}42$ and $A{\beta}40$ from the cell line without toxicity. We suggest that Platycarya strobilacea may be useful as a herbal medicine to treat Alzheimer's disease.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.91-95
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• 2010

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is characterized pathologically by the presence of intracellular neurofibrillary tangles and deposition of ${\beta}$-amyloid (A${\beta}$) peptides. It is urgent to develop effective therapies for the treatment of AD, since our society rapidly accelerate aging. A${\beta}$ peptides have been believed to be neurotoxic and now are also considered to have affects on the mechanism of memory formation, which are generated by processing of amyloid precursor protein (APP). In this study, effects of Styrax Liquides (SL) on the metabolism of APP were analyzed. SL inhibited the secretion of A${\beta}$ from the Neuro2a cell line (APPswe cell) expressing a mutation of APPswe. Immunoblotting study showed that it inhibited ${\beta}$-site APP cleaving enzyme (BACE) from the APPswe cells. We suggest that SL inhibits APP metabolism and A${\beta}$ generation by the means of BACE inhibitory mechanism. This is the first report that SL inhibits the secretion of A${\beta}$ peptides from neuroblastoma cells.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.235-240
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• 2013

Extracellular accumulation of amyloid beta protein ($A{\beta}$) plays a central role in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Some metals, such as copper, lead, and aluminum can affect the $A{\beta}$ accumulation in the brain. However, the effect of mercury on $A{\beta}$ accumulation in the brain is not clear. Thus, this study was proposed to estimate whether mercury concentration affects $A{\beta}$ accumulation in PC12 cells. We treated 10, 100, and 1000 nM $HgCl_2$ (Hg) or $CH_3HgCl_2$ (MeHg) for 48 hr in PC12 cells. After treatment, $A{\beta}_{40}$ in culture medium increased in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Hg and MeHg increased amyloid precursor protein (APP), which is related to $A{\beta}$ production. Neprilysin (NEP) levels in PC12 cells were decreased by Hg and MeHg treatment. These results suggested that Hg induced $A{\beta}$ accumulation through APP overproduction and reduction of NEP.

• Korean Journal of Biological Psychiatry
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.170-180
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• 1996

Lowered immune function in the senile dementia patients may be related to the abnormal metabolism of amyloid precursor protein(APP). To investigate the passibility of an abnormal metabolism of APP in lymphocytes and the possible role of APP in the activation of lymphocytes in senile dementia patients, immunohistochemical study of rat spleen and fluorescence activated cell sorter analysis(FACS) of human lymphocytes with the specific antigen far each lymphocyte and double fluorescent marker with antibody to APP were performed. After stimulating lymphocyte with phytohemagglutinin(PHA), APP mRNA and protein were extracted and quantitfied and the influence of ${\beta}$-amyloid protein($A{\beta}$) specific antibody on lymphocyte division was investigated. In spleen, the majority of cells showing $A{\beta}$ immunoreactivity was found in the T-sell dependent zone. FACS indicated that around 90% $CD_4(+)$ T-cells and 60% of $CD_8(+)$ T-sell were immunoreactive to $A{\beta}$ specific antibody(mAb 4G8). Northern blot analysis shows that lymphocyte APP mRNA was gradually increased to reach a maximum at 3 days after activation with lectin mitogen PHA. However, the $A{\beta}$ immunoreactivity an cell surface remained constant during stimulation with PHA, indicating that the release of APP(secreted farm of APP) might be increased. A very large increase in soluble APP secretion was observed in T-lymphocyte upon activation, but only law levels in the resting stale. Immunoblot was carried out an the protein obtained from cell lysate after stimulating lymphocyte by applying PHA to the cultured lymphocyte, and the result was that $A{\beta}$ band of immature farm under 116 KDa marker decreased as the duration of culture was increased after PHA stimulation. The monoclonal $A{\beta}$ specific(4G8) and polyclonal APP antibodies did not inhibit the [$^3H$]-thymidine uptake of mitogen-treated lymphocytes significantly, suggesting that mitogenesis can not be inhibited by specific $A{\beta}$ and polyclonal APP antibody. These results suggest that APP is expressed in T-cell and might be closely associated with the function of T-cells.

• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.191-200
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• 2010

Objectives : This experiment was designed to investigate the effect of Chongmyung-Tang Prescription Combination(CmTP-$C_{1-10}$) extract on the production of amyloid $\beta$ protein and $\beta$-site amyloid precursor protein-cleaving enzyme(BACE) activity. Methods : The effect of CmTP-$C_{1-10}$ extract on expression of APP mRNA, BACE2 mRNA in BV2 microglia cell line treated by lipopolysacchride(LPS) and amyloid $\beta$ protein fragment(A$\beta$ fragment) were investigated. The effect of CmTP-$C_{1-10}$ extract on production of amyloid $\beta$ protein(A$\beta$) in BV2 microglia cell line treated by LPS and A$\beta$ fragment were investigated. The effect of CmTP-$C_{1-10}$ extract on BACE activity were investigated. Results : 1. CmTP-$C_9$ extract the most significantly suppressed the expression of APP mRNA, BACE2 mRNA in BV2 microglia cell line treated by LPS and A$\beta$ fragment. 2. CmTP-$C_9$ extract significantly suppressed the production of A$\beta$ in BV2 microglia cell line treated by LPS and A$\beta$ fragment. 3. CmTP-$C_9$ extract the most significantly inhibited BACE activity. Conclusions : These results suggest that CmTP-$C_9$ may be effective for the prevention and treatment of Alzheimer's Disease. Investigation into clinical use of CmTP-$C_9$ for Alzheimer's Disease is suggested for future research.

• Korean Journal of Pharmacognosy
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• v.46 no.4
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• pp.327-333
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• 2015

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder symptomatically characterized by impairment in memory and cognitive abilities. AD is characterized pathologically by the deposition of ${\beta}$-amyloid ($A{\beta}$) peptides of 40-42 residues, which are generated by processing of amyloid precursor protein (APP). $A{\beta}$ has been believed to be neurotoxic and now is also considered to have a role on the mechanism of memory dysfunction. In this study, we tested that EtOH extract of the fruits of Chaenomeles sinensis Koehne (CSE) affects on the processing of APP from the APPswe over-expressing Neuro2a cell line. We found that CSE increased over 2 folds of the $sAPP{\alpha}$ secretion level, a metabolite of ${\alpha}$-secretase. We showed that CSE reduced the secretion level of $A{\beta}42$ and $A{\beta}40$ by down regulation of ${\beta}$-secretase (BACE) without cytotoxicity. Furthermore, we found that CSE inhibited BACE and acetylcholinesterase activity in vitro. We suggest that Chaenomelis Fructus may be an useful source to develop a herbal medicine for AD.

• Journal of Microbiology
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• v.44 no.6
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• pp.665-670
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• 2006

Amyloid $\beta$-peptide (A$\beta$), which is a product of the proteolytic effect of $\beta$-secretase (BACE) on an amyloid precursor protein, is closely associated with Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathogenesis. There is sufficient evidence to suggest that a BACE inhibitor may reduce A$\beta$ levels, thus decreasing the risk of AD. In a previous study, an extract of Clavicorona pyxidata DGUM 29005 mycelia was found to inhibit the production of a soluble $\beta$-amyloid precursor protein (s$\beta$APP), A$\beta$, and BACE in neuronal cell lines. We sought to determine whether this mycelial extract exerts the same effect in human rhabdomyosarcoma A-204 and rat pheochromocytoma PC-12 cells. We found that the production of A$\beta$ decreased in a dose-dependent manner in the presence of the mycelial extract and that the concentration of A$\beta$ never exceeded $50{\mu}g/ml$. The presence of sAPP was detected in every culture medium to which the mycelial extract had been added and its concentration remained the same, regardless of the concentration of the extract used. Endogenous $\beta$-secretase activity in A-204 and PC-12 cellular homogenates also decreased in the presence of this extract. These cells, in culture, were not susceptible to the cytotoxic activity of the mycelial extract.