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alpha2-macroglobulin in late-onset Alzheimer's disease.
Kovacs, D M.
Afiliação
  • Kovacs DM; Genetics and Aging Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Building 149,13th Street, Charlestown, MA 02129, USA. kovacs@helix.mgh.harvard.edu
Exp Gerontol ; 35(4): 473-9, 2000 Jul.
Article em En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-10959035
ABSTRACT
alpha2-macroglobulin (alpha(2)M) is an abundant plasma protein similar in structure and function to a group of proteins called alpha-macroglobulins. alpha(2)M is also produced in the brain where it binds multiple extracellular ligands and is internalized by neurons and astrocytes. In the brain of Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients, alpha(2)M has been localized to diffuse amyloid plaques. alpha(2)M also binds soluble beta-amyloid, of which it mediates degradation. However, an excess of alpha(2)M can also have neurotoxic effects. Based on genetic evidence, is now recognized as one of the two confirmed late onset AD genes. As for the three early onset genes (the amyloid beta-protein precursor and the two presenilins) and for the other late onset gene (ApoE), DNA polymorphisms in the A2M gene associated with AD result in significantly increased accumulation of amyloid plaques in AD brains. These data support an important role for A2M in AD etiopathology.
Assuntos
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Coleções: 01-internacional Base de dados: MEDLINE Assunto principal: Envelhecimento / Alfa-Macroglobulinas / Doença de Alzheimer Limite: Humans Idioma: En Revista: Exp Gerontol Ano de publicação: 2000 Tipo de documento: Article
Buscar no Google
Coleções: 01-internacional Base de dados: MEDLINE Assunto principal: Envelhecimento / Alfa-Macroglobulinas / Doença de Alzheimer Limite: Humans Idioma: En Revista: Exp Gerontol Ano de publicação: 2000 Tipo de documento: Article