The N-terminal truncated pyroglutamate (pGlu) modified forms of beta-amyloid (A ?), pGluA ? (3-40/42) (referred to as pGluA ?), display high neurotoxicity, neurodegeneration and memory loss in Alzheimer's disease. Notably, pGluA ? is abundant in AD brains and is present at levels greater than A? (1-40/42). The pGluA ? accelerates formation of A? and pGluA ? oligomers that cause neurotoxic cell death and memory deficits in AD. The pGluA ? (3-40/42) peptides begin with N-terminal glutamate, the third amino acid of A? (1-40/42). pGluA? peptides are generated from A ? (1-40/42) by aminopeptidases that remove the N-terminal aspartate and alanine residues, followed by cyclization of the N-terminal glutamate. The aminopeptidases required to generate pGluA? peptides have not yet been elucidated. Therefore, the goal of this project will be to identify the aminopeptidase mechanisms responsible for generating neurotoxic pGluA? that participates with A ? in development of AD. Results can provide novel protease targets for Alzheimer's disease. The hypothesis of this project is that the aspartate aminopeptidase and alanine aminopeptidase enzymes generate A ? (3-40/42) which is converted to pGluA?(3-40/42) by glutaminyl cyclase (QC). This hypothesis is supported by our preliminary data demonstrating the presence of aspartate and alanine aminopeptidase activities in secretory vesicles that contain pGluA? (3-40/42) and A? (1-40/42). This hypothesis will be assessed in three specific aims to (1) identify aspartate and alanine aminopeptidases in A ? -producing secretory vesicles that remove the N-terminal Asp and Ala residues from A ? (1-40/42), (2) evaluate identified aminopeptidases by gene silencing and expression for their roles in producing pGluA? (3-40/42), and (3) evaluate inhibitors of these aminopeptidase activities to reduce production of pGluA? (3- 40/42). This project will identify new aminopeptidase mechanisms for producing neurotoxic pGluA? peptides. Results will also yield candidate inhibitors of these aminopeptidases for future investigation of aminopeptidase regulation in Alzheimer's disease.

Public Health Relevance

Alzheimer's disease (AD) involves production of neurotoxic ? -amyloid peptides that participate in the development of memory deficits in the disease. This project will identify the aminopeptidase protease mechanisms that produce neurotoxic pGlu-beta-amyloid peptides forms that participate in memory loss and amyloid plaques of AD. Results can provide new drug targets to address the unmet need for development of therapeutic agents to treat Alzheimer's disease.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute on Aging (NIA)
Type
Exploratory/Developmental Grants (R21)
Project #
1R21AG042828-01A1
Application #
8583849
Study Section
Synapses, Cytoskeleton and Trafficking Study Section (SYN)
Program Officer
Refolo, Lorenzo
Project Start
2013-07-01
Project End
2015-04-30
Budget Start
2013-07-01
Budget End
2014-04-30
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
2013
Total Cost
$232,500
Indirect Cost
$82,500
Name
University of California San Diego
Department
Pharmacology
Type
Schools of Pharmacy
DUNS #
804355790
City
La Jolla
State
CA
Country
United States
Zip Code
92093