Enhanced activity of hippocampal BACE1 in a mouse model of postmenopausal memory deficits

Neurosci Lett. 2008 Mar 12;433(2):141-5. doi: 10.1016/j.neulet.2007.12.060. Epub 2008 Jan 10.

Abstract

Ovarian hormone decline after menopause may influence cognitive performance and increase the risk for Alzheimer's disease (AD) in women. We have recently demonstrated that a combination of ovariectomy and chronic stress (OVX/stress) causes hippocampus-associated cognitive dysfunction in mice. In this study, we examined whether OVX/stress could affect the levels of AD-related molecules in the mouse hippocampus. Female ICR mice were ovariectomized or sham-operated, and then randomly divided into a daily restraint stress (21 days, 6 h/day) or non-stress group. Although OVX or stress alone did not affect beta-site amyloid precursor protein (APP)-cleaving enzyme-1 (BACE1) activity, OVX/stress increased activity in hippocampal CA1 and CA3 regions, compared with other groups. In contrast, OVX/stress did not affect gamma-secretase activity, Abeta(1-40), and phosphorylated-tau levels in the hippocampus. These findings suggest that a stressful life after menopause can influence the levels of AD-related molecules and that BACE1 is the most sensitive molecule for such a situation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amyloid Precursor Protein Secretases / metabolism*
  • Analysis of Variance
  • Animals
  • Aspartic Acid Endopeptidases / metabolism*
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay / methods
  • Female
  • Gene Expression Regulation / physiology*
  • Hippocampus / metabolism*
  • Memory Disorders / etiology
  • Memory Disorders / pathology*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred ICR
  • Ovariectomy / methods
  • Postmenopause*
  • Restraint, Physical / methods
  • Stress, Psychological / complications
  • Stress, Psychological / pathology
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • Amyloid Precursor Protein Secretases
  • Aspartic Acid Endopeptidases
  • Bace1 protein, mouse