Presenilin-1 (Psi) protein is involved in a variety of critical physiological processes including embryogenesis, CNS development, cell death, and pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Psi influences mammalian development and neuronal apoptosis by controlling the proteolytic cleavage of Notch 1 receptor, and PS1 also causes pathogenesis of early-onset AD (FAD) by altering the processing of b-amyloid precursor protein (APP). Thus, PS1 gene regulation plays a crucial role to control these events. However, we do not yet understand the precise regulatory mechanisms controlling the transcription of the PS1 gene, and in the absence of that information it has been difficult to target the PS1 gene locus in designing therapies to control mammalian development and AD. The experiments proposed in this application will elucidate the regulatory mechanisms of PS1 gene transcription. A secondary aim of this proposal tests the hypothesis that inhibition of PS1 gene expression is mediated by p53-activation. This experiment is important because PS1 expression is linked to (i) Notch 1 mediated cell fate decision during development, (ii) neuronal apoptosis during aging, and (iii) pathogenesis of FAD. The proposed specific aims are to: (1) Identify and characterize trans-acting factors interacting with the human PS1 gene fragment (-118 to +178); (2) Clone novel trans-acting factors binding to elements (-22 to -6), (+75 to +102), (+130 to +143), and identify partner proteins interacting with Ets factors; and (3) Elucidate the mechanism of Psi gene regulation by Ets and p53 proteins. Roles of Ets, p53, and other trans-acting factors in PS1 transcription will be established by antibody supershift, Dnase I foot printing, and in vivo expression of genes encoding these factors. Novel trans-acting factors and Ets partners will be cloned by yeast one-hybrid and two-hybrid systems respectively. Interaction of p53 and Ets transcription factors will be determined by pull down assay. These experiments will provide detailed analysis of trans-acting factors that are likely to be involved in mammalian development and also in the pathogenesis of both early-onset and late-onset Alzheimer's disease.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute on Aging (NIA)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01AG018452-04
Application #
6767783
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1-MDCN-2 (01))
Program Officer
Snyder, Stephen D
Project Start
2001-07-01
Project End
2007-06-30
Budget Start
2004-07-01
Budget End
2007-06-30
Support Year
4
Fiscal Year
2004
Total Cost
$227,244
Indirect Cost
Name
University of North Texas
Department
Pharmacology
Type
Other Domestic Higher Education
DUNS #
110091808
City
Fort Worth
State
TX
Country
United States
Zip Code
76107
Rahman, Moshiur; Zhang, Zhijie; Mody, Avani A et al. (2012) Intraperitoneal injection of JNK-specific inhibitor SP600125 inhibits the expression of presenilin-1 and Notch signaling in mouse brain without induction of apoptosis. Brain Res 1448:117-28
Lee, Sebum; Das, Hriday K (2010) Transcriptional regulation of the presenilin-1 gene controls gamma-secretase activity. Front Biosci (Elite Ed) 2:22-35
Das, Hriday K (2008) Transcriptional regulation of the presenilin-1 gene: implication in Alzheimer's disease. Front Biosci 13:822-32
Das, Hriday K; Baez, Myrna L (2008) ADR1 interacts with a down-stream positive element to activate PS1 transcription. Front Biosci 13:3439-47
Lee, Sebum; Das, Hriday K (2008) Inhibition of basal activity of c-jun-NH2-terminal kinase (JNK) represses the expression of presenilin-1 by a p53-dependent mechanism. Brain Res 1207:19-31
Pastorcic, Martine; Das, Hriday K (2007) Analysis of transcriptional modulation of the presenilin 1 gene promoter by ZNF237, a candidate binding partner of the Ets transcription factor ERM. Brain Res 1128:21-32
Pastorcic, Martine; Das, Hriday K (2007) The C-terminal region of CHD3/ZFH interacts with the CIDD region of the Ets transcription factor ERM and represses transcription of the human presenilin 1 gene. FEBS J 274:1434-48
Pastorcic, Martine; Das, Hriday K (2004) Alternative initiation of transcription of the human presenilin 1 gene in SH-SY5Y and SK-N-SH cells. The role of Ets factors in the regulation of presenilin 1. Eur J Biochem 271:4485-94
Sarkar, Saumyendra N; Das, Hriday K (2003) Regulatory roles of presenilin-1 and nicastrin in neuronal differentiation during in vitro neurogenesis. J Neurochem 87:333-43
Pastorcic, Martine; Das, Hriday K (2003) An abbreviated procedure for the cloning and identification of Ets transcription factors regulating the expression of the human presenilin 1 gene. Brain Res Brain Res Protoc 12:35-40

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