Are you sure you want to leave this community? Leaving the community will revoke any permissions you have been granted in this community.
Impairment of the autophagy pathway has been observed during the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD), a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by abnormal deposition of extracellular and intracellular amyloid β (Aβ) peptides. Yet the role of autophagy in Aβ production and AD progression is complex. To study whether increased basal autophagy plays a beneficial role in Aβ clearance and cognitive improvement, we developed a novel genetic model to hyperactivate autophagy in vivo. We found that knock-in of a point mutation F121A in the essential autophagy gene Beclin 1/Becn1 in mice significantly reduces the interaction of BECN1 with its inhibitor BCL2, and thus leads to constitutively active autophagy even under non-autophagy-inducing conditions in multiple tissues, including brain. Becn1F121A-mediated autophagy hyperactivation significantly decreases amyloid accumulation, prevents cognitive decline, and restores survival in AD mouse models. Using an immunoisolation method, we found biochemically that Aβ oligomers are autophagic substrates and sequestered inside autophagosomes in the brain of autophagy-hyperactive AD mice. In addition to genetic activation of autophagy by Becn1 gain-of-function, we also found that ML246, a small-molecule autophagy inducer, as well as voluntary exercise, a physiological autophagy inducer, exert similar Becn1-dependent protective effects on Aβ removal and memory in AD mice. Taken together, these results demonstrate that genetically disrupting BECN1-BCL2 binding hyperactivates autophagy in vivo, which sequestrates amyloid oligomers and prevents AD progression. The study establishes new approaches to activate autophagy in the brain, and reveals the important function of Becn1-mediated autophagy hyperactivation in the prevention of AD.
Pubmed ID: 28806762
Publication data is provided by the National Library of Medicine ® and PubMed ®. Data is retrieved from PubMed ® on a weekly schedule. For terms and conditions see the National Library of Medicine Terms and Conditions.
Global nonprofit biological resource center (BRC) and research organization that provides biological products, technical services and educational programs to private industry, government and academic organizations. Its mission is to acquire, authenticate, preserve, develop and distribute biological materials, information, technology, intellectual property and standards for the advancement and application of scientific knowledge. The primary purpose of ATCC is to use its resources and experience as a BRC to become the world leader in standard biological reference materials management, intellectual property resource management and translational research as applied to biomaterial development, standardization and certification. ATCC characterizes cell lines, bacteria, viruses, fungi and protozoa, as well as develops and evaluates assays and techniques for validating research resources and preserving and distributing biological materials to the public and private sector research communities.
View all literature mentionsNon-profit plasmid repository dedicated to helping scientists around the world share high-quality plasmids. Facilitates archiving and distributing DNA-based research reagents and associated data to scientists worldwide. Repository contains over 65,000 plasmids, including special collections on CRISPR, fluorescent proteins, and ready-to-use viral preparations. There is no cost for scientists to deposit plasmids, which saves time and money associated with shipping plasmids themselves. All plasmids are fully sequenced for validation and sequencing data is openly available. We handle the appropriate Material Transfer Agreements (MTA) with institutions, facilitating open exchange and offering intellectual property and liability protection for depositing scientists. Furthermore, we curate free educational resources for the scientific community including a blog, eBooks, video protocols, and detailed molecular biology resources.
View all literature mentionsCommercial antibody vendor which supplies antibodies and other products to life science researchers.
View all literature mentionsCommercial vendor and service provider of laboratory reagents and antibodies. Supplier of scientific instrumentation, reagents and consumables, and software services.
View all literature mentionsCommercial instrument and chemical vendor. Developer and manufacturer of specialized technological products for life science research and clinical diagnostics markets.
View all literature mentionsThe Cognitive Neurology and Alzheimer's Disease Center (CNADC) is a multidisciplinary organization dedicated to conducting research to discover how the brain coordinates mental functions such as memory, language, attention, and emotion; transferring the benefits of this research to patients with brain diseases that impair cognitive function; and training researchers and clinicians who want to work in this field. The CNADC's mission is to investigate the neurological basis of cognitive function, to elucidate causes of dementia, and to ensure that the patients and their families are the beneficiaries of resultant discoveries. * Clinical Services: Neurobehavior and Memory Health Clinical Services * Annual Grant Opportunities: Annual Core Pilot Project Funding Opportunities * Research Areas & Faculty: Alzheimer's Disease / Primary Progressive Aphasia / Frontal Dementia, Brain Endowment (Brains are permanently stored, and requests for tissue for research purposes are submitted to Dr. Bigio for review by the Northwestern Alzheimer's Disease Center); Cognitive Brain Mapping Group, Volunteer For A Study * Fellowships: Neuropathology Fellowship, Behavioral Neurology & Neuropsychiatry Fellowship * Training Programs: Mechanisms of Aging and Dementia (M.A.D.) Training Program; Training Program in the Neuroscience of Human Cognition
View all literature mentionsCell line HeLa is a Cancer cell line with a species of origin Homo sapiens
View all literature mentionsCell line HEK293 is a Transformed cell line with a species of origin Homo sapiens (Human)
View all literature mentionsCell line HEK293 is a Transformed cell line with a species of origin Homo sapiens (Human)
View all literature mentionsMus musculus with name C57BL/6J from IMSR.
View all literature mentionsMus musculus with name C57BL/6J from IMSR.
View all literature mentionsCell line HeLa is a Cancer cell line with a species of origin Homo sapiens
View all literature mentions