This subproject is one of many research subprojects utilizing theresources provided by a Center grant funded by NIH/NCRR. The subproject andinvestigator (PI) may have received primary funding from another NIH source,and thus could be represented in other CRISP entries. The institution listed isfor the Center, which is not necessarily the institution for the investigator.The focus of this project was interactions between tau protein and the amyloid precursor protein (APP) in producing Alzheimer's disease pathology in the rodent (rat) and nonhuman primate (Saimiri sciureus) brain, with particular emphasis on tau protein in primates. These proteins are known to be critical to the development of Alzheimer's disease, but the existing models do not fully mimic the uniquely human pathology of Alzheimer's. We confirmed the long-term expression of the protein GFP in rats ( 1 year) as well as the induction of tau abnormalities by the protein. Genes for human-type tau protein are currently incubating in Saimiri, and we expect to have the results by early summer. We began an analysis of tau protein abnormalities in aged nonhuman primates to assess the natural occurrence of this pathology and its similarities to human tauopathies. Significant progress was made in developing a construct that enables the simultaneous expression of two separate transgenes.
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