Post-translational regulation of the low-density lipoprotein receptor provides new targets for cholesterol regulation.

The amount of the low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) on the surface of hepatocytes is the primary determinant of plasma low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol level. Although the synthesis and cellular trafficking of the LDLR have been well-documented, there is growing evidence of additional post-translational mechanisms that regulate or fine tune the surface availability of the LDLR, thus modulating its ability to bind and internalise LDL-cholesterol. Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 and the asialoglycoprotein receptor 1 both independently interact with the LDLR and direct it towards the lysosome for degradation. While ubiquitination by the E3 ligase inducible degrader of the LDLR also targets the receptor for lysosomal degradation, ubiquitination of the LDLR by a different E3 ligase, RNF130, redistributes the receptor away from the plasma membrane. The activity of the LDLR is also regulated by proteolysis. Proteolytic cleavage of the transmembrane region of the LDLR by γ-secretase destabilises the receptor, directing it to the lysosome for degradation. Shedding of the extracellular domain of the receptor by membrane-type 1 matrix metalloprotease and cleavage of the receptor in its LDL-binding domain by bone morphogenetic protein-1 reduces the ability of the LDLR to bind and internalise LDL-cholesterol at the cell surface. A better understanding of how the activity of the LDLR is regulated will not only unravel the complex biological mechanisms controlling LDL-cholesterol metabolism but also could help inform the development of alternative pharmacological intervention strategies for the treatment of hypercholesterolaemia.

The role of protein aggregation in the pathogenesis of inclusion body myositis.

Inclusion body myositis (IBM) is characterised by infiltration of CD8+ T-cells and signs of protein aggregation such as rimmed vacuoles and inclusion bodies. Aggregated proteins include those present in neurodegenerative diseases, and also those involved in protein homeostasis. The aim of this review is to discuss the pathological effects of protein aggregates and the process of aggregation following immune attack in IBM. Immune attack is likely to cause protein aggregation by impairing endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and mitochondrial function. Apoptotic and necrotic pathways are activated, possibly leading to nucleo-cytoplasmic coagulation. Overexpression of nuclear and ribosomal proteins in rimmed vacuoles suggests that the vacuoles develop from the collapse of myonuclei and the surrounding ER. Aggregated proteins can activate the NLR family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome or provoke a humoral immune response. Heat shock proteins, ribosomal proteins and protein fragments may provoke interferon-gamma and cytotoxic T-cell responses in a similar manner to Mycobacterium tuberculosis antigens. Persistent provocation can lead to T-cell large granular lymphocytic leukaemia which is resistant to immunosuppression, and would explain the progression from polymyositis to IBM. Protein aggregates may impair the cellular machinery, and proteins may propagate along a myocyte in a prion-like manner. These pathological mechanisms may prevent myocyte regeneration following damage from eccentric muscle contraction, causing weakness and atrophy in a characteristic pattern. Further understanding of the mechanisms of protein aggregation in IBM may lead to additional therapies as well as novel muscle and blood biomarkers. Earlier diagnosis and treatment may result in improved outcomes when effective therapies are available.

Mild cognitive impairment: the Manchester consensus.

Given considerable variation in diagnostic and therapeutic practice, there is a need for national guidance on the use of neuroimaging, fluid biomarkers, cognitive testing, follow-up and diagnostic terminology in mild cognitive impairment (MCI). MCI is a heterogenous clinical syndrome reflecting a change in cognitive function and deficits on neuropsychological testing but relatively intact activities of daily living. MCI is a risk state for further cognitive and functional decline with 5-15% of people developing dementia per year. However, ~50% remain stable at 5 years and in a minority, symptoms resolve over time. There is considerable debate about whether MCI is a useful clinical diagnosis, or whether the use of the term prevents proper inquiry (by history, examination and investigations) into underlying causes of cognitive symptoms, which can include prodromal neurodegenerative disease, other physical or psychiatric illness, or combinations thereof. Cognitive testing, neuroimaging and fluid biomarkers can improve the sensitivity and specificity of aetiological diagnosis, with growing evidence that these may also help guide prognosis. Diagnostic criteria allow for a diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease to be made where MCI is accompanied by appropriate biomarker changes, but in practice, such biomarkers are not available in routine clinical practice in the UK. This would change if disease-modifying therapies became available and required a definitive diagnosis but would present major challenges to the National Health Service and similar health systems. Significantly increased investment would be required in training, infrastructure and provision of fluid biomarkers and neuroimaging. Statistical techniques combining markers may provide greater sensitivity and specificity than any single disease marker but their practical usefulness will depend on large-scale studies to ensure ecological validity and that multiple measures, e.g. both cognitive tests and biomarkers, are widely available for clinical use. To perform such large studies, we must increase research participation amongst those with MCI.

Proteolytic shedding of the prion protein via activation of metallopeptidase ADAM10 reduces cellular binding and toxicity of amyloid-ß oligomers.

The cellular prion protein (PrPC) is a key neuronal receptor for ß-amyloid oligomers (AßO), mediating their neurotoxicity, which contributes to the neurodegeneration in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Similarly to the amyloid precursor protein (APP), PrPC is proteolytically cleaved from the cell surface by a disintegrin and metalloprotease, ADAM10. We hypothesized that ADAM10-modulated PrPC shedding would alter the cellular binding and cytotoxicity of AßO. Here, we found that in human neuroblastoma cells, activation of ADAM10 with the muscarinic agonist carbachol promotes PrPC shedding and reduces the binding of AßO to the cell surface, which could be blocked with an ADAM10 inhibitor. Conversely, siRNA-mediated ADAM10 knockdown reduced PrPC shedding and increased AßO binding, which was blocked by the PrPC-specific antibody 6D11. The retinoic acid receptor analog acitretin, which up-regulates ADAM10, also promoted PrPC shedding and decreased AßO binding in the neuroblastoma cells and in human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived cortical neurons. Pretreatment with acitretin abolished activation of Fyn kinase and prevented an increase in reactive oxygen species caused by AßO binding to PrPC Besides blocking AßO binding and toxicity, acitretin also increased the nonamyloidogenic processing of APP. However, in the iPSC-derived neurons, Aß and other amyloidogenic processing products did not exhibit a reciprocal decrease upon acitretin treatment. These results indicate that by promoting the shedding of PrPC in human neurons, ADAM10 activation prevents the binding and cytotoxicity of AßO, revealing a potential therapeutic benefit of ADAM10 activation in AD.

Discovery and characterization of ACE2 - a 20-year journey of surprises from vasopeptidase to COVID-19.

Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) is a zinc membrane metallopeptidase that plays a key role in regulating vasoactive peptide levels and hence cardiovascular activity through its conversion of angiotensin I (Ang I) to Ang II and its metabolism of bradykinin. The discovery of its homologue, ACE2, 20 years ago has led to intensive comparisons of these two enzymes revealing surprising structural, catalytic and functional distinctions between them. ACE2 plays multiple roles not only as a vasopeptidase but also as a regulator of amino acid transport and serendipitously as a viral receptor, mediating the cellular entry of the coronaviruses causing severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and, very recently, COVID-19. Catalytically, ACE2 functions as a monocarboxypeptidase principally converting the vasoconstrictor angiotensin II to the vasodilatory peptide Ang-(1-7) thereby counterbalancing the action of ACE on the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) and providing a cardioprotective role. Unlike ACE, ACE2 does not metabolise bradykinin nor is it inhibited by classical ACE inhibitors. However, it does convert a number of other regulatory peptides in vitro and in vivo. Interest in ACE2 biology and its potential as a possible therapeutic target has surged in recent months as the COVID-19 pandemic rages worldwide. This review highlights the surprising discoveries of ACE2 biology during the last 20 years, its distinctions from classical ACE and the therapeutic opportunities arising from its multiple biological roles.

Extracellular Vesicles Isolated from Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Neurons Contain a Transcriptional Network.

Healthy brain function is mediated by several complementary signalling pathways, many of which are driven by extracellular vesicles (EVs). EVs are heterogeneous in both size and cargo and are constitutively released from cells into the extracellular milieu. They are subsequently trafficked to recipient cells, whereupon their entry can modify the cellular phenotype. Here, in order to further analyse the mRNA and protein cargo of neuronal EVs, we isolated EVs by size exclusion chromatography from human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived neurons. Electron microscopy and dynamic light scattering revealed that the isolated EVs had a diameter of 30-100 nm. Transcriptomic and proteomics analyses of the EVs and neurons identified key molecules enriched in the EVs involved in cell surface interaction (integrins and collagens), internalisation pathways (clathrin- and caveolin-dependent), downstream signalling pathways (phospholipases, integrin-linked kinase and MAPKs), and long-term impacts on cellular development and maintenance. Overall, we show that key signalling networks and mechanisms are enriched in EVs isolated from human iPSC-derived neurons.

Quantitative interaction proteomics reveals differences in the interactomes of amyloid precursor protein isoforms.

The generation of the amyloid-ß (Aß) peptides from the amyloid precursor protein (APP) through sequential proteolysis by ß- and γ-secretases is a key pathological event in the initiation and propagation of Alzheimer's disease. Aß and the transcriptionally active APP intracellular domain are generated preferentially from the APP695 isoform compared to the longer APP751 isoform. As the Aß and amyloid precursor protein intracellular domain produced from cleavage of APP695 and APP751 are identical we hypothesised that the two isoforms have differences within their interactomes which mediate the differential processing of the two isoforms. To investigate this, we applied a proteomics-based approach to identify differences in the interactomes of the APP695 and APP751 isoforms. Using stable isotope labelling of amino acids in cell culture and quantitative proteomics, we compared the interactomes of APP695 and APP751 expressed in human SH-SY5Y cells. Through this approach, we identified enrichment of proteins involved in mitochondrial function, the nuclear pore and nuclear transport specifically in the APP695 interactome. Further interrogation of the APP interactome and subsequent experimental validation (co-immunoprecipitation and siRNA knockdown) revealed GAP43 as a specific modulator of APP751 proteolysis, altering Aß generation. Our data indicate that interrogation of the APP interactome can be exploited to identify proteins which influence APP proteolysis and Aß production in an isoform dependent-manner. Cover Image for this issue: doi: 10.1111/jnc.14504.

Modelling Sporadic Alzheimer's Disease Using Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells.

Developing cellular models of sporadic Alzheimer's disease (sAD) is challenging due to the unknown initiator of disease onset and the slow disease progression that takes many years to develop in vivo. The use of human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) has revolutionised the opportunities to model AD pathology, investigate disease mechanisms and screen potential drugs. The majority of this work has, however, used cells derived from patients with familial AD (fAD) where specific genetic mutations drive disease onset. While these provide excellent models to investigate the downstream pathways involved in neuronal toxicity and ultimately neuronal death that leads to AD, they provide little insight into the causes and mechanisms driving the development of sAD. In this review we compare the data obtained from fAD and sAD iPSC-derived cell lines, identify the inconsistencies that exist in sAD models and highlight the potential role of Aß clearance mechanisms, a relatively under-investigated area in iPSC-derived models, in the study of AD. We discuss the development of more physiologically relevant models using co-culture and three-dimensional culture of iPSC-derived neurons with glial cells. Finally, we evaluate whether we can develop better, more consistent models for sAD research using genetic stratification of iPSCs and identification of genetic and environmental risk factors that could be used to initiate disease onset for modelling sAD. These considerations provide exciting opportunities to develop more relevant iPSC models of sAD which can help drive our understanding of disease mechanisms and identify new therapeutic targets.

Plasma metals as potential biomarkers in dementia: a case-control study in patients with sporadic Alzheimer's disease.

Sporadic Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder that causes the most prevalent form of age-related dementia but its pathogenesis remains obscure. Altered regulation of metals, particularly pan-cerebral copper deficiency, and more regionally-localized perturbation of other metals, are prominent in AD brain although data on how these CNS perturbations are reflected in the peripheral bloodstream are inconsistent to date. To assess the potential use of metal dysregulation to generate biomarkers in AD, we performed a case-control study of seven essential metals and selenium, measured by inductively coupled plasma mass-spectrometry, in samples from AD and matched control cases. Metals were sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, iron, zinc, and copper. In the whole study-group and in female participants, plasma metal levels did not differ between cases and controls. In males by contrast, there was moderate evidence that zinc levels trended towards increase in AD [10.8 (10.2-11.5)] µmol/L, mean (± 95% CI; P = 0.021) compared with controls [10.2 (9.6-10.4)]. Thus alterations in plasma zinc levels differed between genders in AD. In correlational analysis, there was evidence for an increased number of 'strong' metal co-regulations in AD cases and differential co-modulations of metal pairs: copper-sodium (Rcontrol = - 0.03, RAD = 0.65; P = 0.009), and copper-calcium (Rcontrol = - 0.01, RAD = 0.65; P = 0.01) were significant in AD males, potentially consistent with reported evidence for dysregulation of copper in severely damaged brain regions in AD. In conclusion, our data suggest that the measurement of metals co-regulation in plasma may provide a useful representation of those metal perturbations taking place in the AD brain and therefore might be useful as plasma-based biomarkers.

Soluble Amyloid Precursor Protein α: Friend or Foe?

The "amyloidogenic" proteolytic processing of the cell surface amyloid precursor protein (APP) produces amyloid-ß, which causes a range of detrimental effects in the neuron, such as synaptic loss, and plays a key role in Alzheimer's disease. In contrast, "non-amyloidogenic" proteolytic processing, which involves the cleavage of APP by α-secretase, produces soluble amyloid precursor protein α (sAPPα) and is the most predominant proteolytic processing of APP in the healthy brain. Current research suggests that sAPPα plays a role in synaptic growth and plasticity, but whether this role is protective or detrimental is age-dependent. This review looks at the effects of increasing sAPPα during three time-points in life (in development, young adult, ageing/neurodegeneration) when synaptic plasticity plays an important role.

A step-by-step translation of evidence into a psychosocial intervention for everyday activities in dementia: a focus group study.

OBJECTIVE: In order to increase the efficacy of psychosocial interventions in dementia, a step-by-step process translating evidence and public engagement should be adhered to. This paper describes such a process by involving a two-stage focus group with people with dementia (PwD), informal carers, and staff. METHODS: Based on previous evidence, general aspects of effective interventions were drawn out. These were tested in the first stage of focus groups, one with informal carers and PwD and one with staff. Findings from this stage helped shape the intervention further specifying its content. In the second stage, participants were consulted about the detailed components. FINDINGS: The extant evidence base and focus groups helped to identify six practical and situation-specific elements worthy of consideration in planning such an intervention, including underlying theory and personal motivations for participation. Carers, PwD, and staff highlighted the importance of rapport between practitioners and PwD prior to commencing the intervention. It was also considered important that the intervention would be personalised to each individual. CONCLUSIONS: This paper shows how valuable public involvement can be to intervention development, and outlines a process of public involvement for future intervention development. The next step would be to formally test the intervention.

Amyloid ß synaptotoxicity is Wnt-PCP dependent and blocked by fasudil.

INTRODUCTION: Synapse loss is the structural correlate of the cognitive decline indicative of dementia. In the brains of Alzheimer's disease sufferers, amyloid ß (Aß) peptides aggregate to form senile plaques but as soluble peptides are toxic to synapses. We previously demonstrated that Aß induces Dickkopf-1 (Dkk1), which in turn activates the Wnt-planar cell polarity (Wnt-PCP) pathway to drive tau pathology and neuronal death. METHODS: We compared the effects of Aß and of Dkk1 on synapse morphology and memory impairment while inhibiting or silencing key elements of the Wnt-PCP pathway. RESULTS: We demonstrate that Aß synaptotoxicity is also Dkk1 and Wnt-PCP dependent, mediated by the arm of Wnt-PCP regulating actin cytoskeletal dynamics via Daam1, RhoA and ROCK, and can be blocked by the drug fasudil. DISCUSSION: Our data add to the importance of aberrant Wnt signaling in Alzheimer's disease neuropathology and indicate that fasudil could be repurposed as a treatment for the disease.

Amyloid-ß Receptors: The Good, the Bad, and the Prion Protein.

Several different receptor proteins have been identified that bind monomeric, oligomeric, or fibrillar forms of amyloid-ß (Aß). "Good" receptors internalize Aß or promote its transcytosis out of the brain, whereas "bad" receptors bind oligomeric forms of Aß that are largely responsible for the synapticloss, memory impairments, and neurotoxicity that underlie Alzheimer disease. The prion protein both removes Aß from the brain and transduces the toxic actions of Aß. The clustering of distinct receptors in cell surface signaling platforms likely underlies the actions of distinct oligomeric species of Aß. These Aß receptor-signaling platforms provide opportunities for therapeutic intervention in Alzheimer disease.

A Greek Tragedy: The Growing Complexity of Alzheimer Amyloid Precursor Protein Proteolysis.

Proteolysis of the amyloid precursor protein (APP) liberates various fragments including the proposed initiator of Alzheimer disease-associated dysfunctions, amyloid-ß. However, recent evidence suggests that the accepted view of APP proteolysis by the canonical α-, ß-, and γ-secretases is simplistic, with the discovery of a number of novel APP secretases (including δ- and η-secretases, alternative ß-secretases) and additional metabolites, some of which may also cause synaptic dysfunction. Furthermore, various proteins have been identified that interact with APP and modulate its cleavage by the secretases. Here, we give an overview of the increasingly complex picture of APP proteolysis.

Prion protein "gamma-cleavage": characterizing a novel endoproteolytic processing event.

The cellular prion protein (PrP(C)) is a ubiquitously expressed protein of currently unresolved but potentially diverse function. Of putative relevance to normal biological activity, PrP(C) is recognized to undergo both α- and ß-endoproteolysis, producing the cleavage fragment pairs N1/C1 and N2/C2, respectively. Experimental evidence suggests the likelihood that these processing events serve differing cellular needs. Through the engineering of a C-terminal c-myc tag onto murine PrP(C), as well as the selective use of a far-C-terminal anti-PrP antibody, we have identified a new PrP(C) fragment, nominally 'C3', and elaborating existing nomenclature, 'γ-cleavage' as the responsible proteolysis. Our studies indicate that this novel γ-cleavage event can occur during transit through the secretory pathway after exiting the endoplasmic reticulum, and after PrP(C) has reached the cell surface, by a matrix metalloprotease. We found that C3 is GPI-anchored like other C-terminal and full length PrP(C) species, though it does not localize primarily at the cell surface, and is preferentially cleaved from an unglycosylated substrate. Importantly, we observed that C3 exists in diverse cell types as well as mouse and human brain tissue, and of possible pathogenic significance, γ-cleavage may increase in human prion diseases. Given the likely relevance of PrP(C) processing to both its normal function, and susceptibility to prion disease, the potential importance of this previously underappreciated and overlooked cleavage event warrants further consideration.

The effects of the cellular and infectious prion protein on the neuronal adaptor protein X11α.

BACKGROUND: The neuronal adaptor protein X11α is a multidomain protein with a phosphotyrosine binding (PTB) domain, two PDZ (PSD_95, Drosophila disks-large, ZO-1) domains, a Munc Interacting (MI) domain and a CASK interacting region. Amongst its functions is a role in the regulation of the abnormal processing of the amyloid precursor protein (APP). It also regulates the activity of Cu/Zn Superoxide dismutase (SOD1) through binding with its chaperone the copper chaperone for SOD1. How X11α production is controlled has remained unclear. METHODS: Using the neuroblastoma cell line, N2a, and knockdown studies, the effect of the cellular and infectious prion protein, PrP(C) and PrP(Sc), on X11α is examined. RESULTS: We show that X11α expression is directly proportional to the expression of PrP(C), whereas its levels are reduced by PrP(Sc). We also show PrP(Sc) to affect X11α at a functional level. One of the effects of prion infection is lowered cellular SOD1 levels, here by knockdown of X11α we identify that the effect of PrP(Sc) on SOD1 can be reversed indicating that X11α is involved in prion disease pathogenesis. CONCLUSIONS: A role for the cellular and infectious prion protein, PrP(C) and PrP(Sc), respectively, in regulating X11α is identified in this work. GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE: Due to the multiple interacting partners of X11α, dysfunction or alteration in X11α will have a significant cellular effect. This work highlights the role of PrP(C) and PrP(Sc) in the regulation of X11α, and provides a new target pathway to control X11α and its related functions.

The Role of Tissue Non-specific Alkaline Phosphatase (TNAP) in Neurodegenerative Diseases: Alzheimer's Disease in the Focus.

Tissue non-specific alkaline phosphatase (TNAP) is present on neuronal membranes and induces neuronal toxicity via tau dephosphorylation; a mechanism which could play a role in the neuronal loss seen in Alzheimer's disease (AD). TNAP increases in the plasma following brain injury and cerebrovascular disease. In this chapter we summarise our previous work which looked at changes in TNAP activity in the brain and plasma of AD individuals and discuss whether these changes may be reflective of neuronal loss. Our data demonstrate that TNAP activity is significantly increased in the brain in both the sporadic and familial forms of AD and that TNAP activity is significantly increased in the plasma in AD patients. In addition, we describe a significant inverse correlation between plasma TNAP activity and cognitive function in AD. Using these data we propose a model for TNAP-induced neurodegeneration in AD resulting from tau dephosphorylation following secretion of tau from neuronal cells.

Prion protein-mediated toxicity of amyloid-ß oligomers requires lipid rafts and the transmembrane LRP1.

Soluble oligomers of the amyloid-ß (Aß) peptide cause neurotoxicity, synaptic dysfunction, and memory impairments that underlie Alzheimer disease (AD). The cellular prion protein (PrP(C)) was recently identified as a high affinity neuronal receptor for Aß oligomers. We report that fibrillar Aß oligomers recognized by the OC antibody, which have been shown to correlate with the onset and severity of AD, bind preferentially to cells and neurons expressing PrP(C). The binding of Aß oligomers to cell surface PrP(C), as well as their downstream activation of Fyn kinase, was dependent on the integrity of cholesterol-rich lipid rafts. In SH-SY5Y cells, fluorescence microscopy and co-localization with subcellular markers revealed that the Aß oligomers co-internalized with PrP(C), accumulated in endosomes, and subsequently trafficked to lysosomes. The cell surface binding, internalization, and downstream toxicity of Aß oligomers was dependent on the transmembrane low density lipoprotein receptor-related protein-1 (LRP1). The binding of Aß oligomers to cell surface PrP(C) impaired its ability to inhibit the activity of the ß-secretase BACE1, which cleaves the amyloid precursor protein to produce Aß. The green tea polyphenol (-)-epigallocatechin gallate and the red wine extract resveratrol both remodeled the fibrillar conformation of Aß oligomers. The resulting nonfibrillar oligomers displayed significantly reduced binding to PrP(C)-expressing cells and were no longer cytotoxic. These data indicate that soluble, fibrillar Aß oligomers bind to PrP(C) in a conformation-dependent manner and require the integrity of lipid rafts and the transmembrane LRP1 for their cytotoxicity, thus revealing potential targets to alleviate the neurotoxic properties of Aß oligomers in AD.

Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 is subject to post-transcriptional regulation by miR-421.

ACE2 (angiotensin converting enzyme 2) plays a critical role in the local tissue RAS (renin-angiotensin system) by hydrolysing the potent hypertensive and mitogenic peptide AngII (angiotensin II). Changes in the levels of ACE2 have been observed in a number of pathologies, including cardiovascular disease, but little is known of the mechanisms regulating its expression. In the present study, therefore, the potential role of miRNAs in the regulation of ACE2 expression in primary human cardiac myofibroblasts was examined. Putative miRNA-binding sites were identified in the 3'-UTR of the ACE2 transcript using online prediction algorithms. Two of these, miR-200b and miR-421, were selected for further analysis. A reporter system using the 3'-UTR of ACE2 fused to the coding region of firefly luciferase was used to determine the functionality of the identified binding sites in vitro. This identified miR-421, but not miR-200b, as a potential regulator of ACE2. The ability of miR-421, an miRNA implicated in the development of thrombosis, to down-regulate ACE2 expression was subsequently confirmed by Western blot analysis of both primary cardiac myofibroblasts and transformed cells transfected with a synthetic miR-421 precursor. Real-time PCR analysis of miR-421 revealed widespread expression in human tissues. miR-421 levels in cardiac myofibroblasts showed significant inter-patient variability, in keeping with the variability of ACE2 expression we have observed previously. In conclusion, the present study is the first to demonstrate that ACE2 may be subject to post-transcriptional regulation and reveals a novel potential therapeutic target, miR-421, which could be exploited to modulate ACE2 expression in disease.

A new take on prions: preventing Alzheimer's disease.

Alzheimer's disease is a major neurodegenerative disease of the brain, the incidence of which increases dramatically in old age. Currently, no drugs are available to halt or slow the progression of this disease, which poses an ever-expanding burden on health services, families and society. The prion protein has become infamous owing to its role as the causative agent of the transmissible spongiform encephalopathies such as Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease in humans. However, our view of the prion protein as an unwanted, harmful entity has been challenged recently. New data indicate that the normal cellular form of the prion protein might have a crucial role in suppressing the production of the amyloid-beta peptide, the neurotoxic molecule involved in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease.