Abstract
Alzheimer's disease is characterized by the presence of neurofibrillary tangles and senile plaque in the brain. Both disorders must be present in order to confirm a clinical diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease. Neurofibrillary tangles contain hyperphosphorylated microtubule-associated protein tau, while senile plaque contains a core of amyloidpeptide derived from its precursor. Phosphorylation of both amyloid precursor protein and tau represents a biochemical link between the two characteristic lesions of Alzheimer's disease.
MeSH terms
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Alzheimer Disease / metabolism*
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Alzheimer Disease / pathology
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Amyloid beta-Peptides / metabolism*
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Amyloid beta-Protein Precursor / genetics
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Amyloid beta-Protein Precursor / metabolism*
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Calcium Signaling
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Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 5 / metabolism
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Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 / metabolism
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Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 beta
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Humans
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Neurofibrillary Tangles / chemistry*
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Neurofibrillary Tangles / pathology
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Neurons / metabolism
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Phosphorylation
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Plaque, Amyloid / chemistry*
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Plaque, Amyloid / pathology
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Protein Processing, Post-Translational*
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Protein Structure, Tertiary
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tau Proteins / metabolism*
Substances
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Amyloid beta-Peptides
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Amyloid beta-Protein Precursor
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MAPT protein, human
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tau Proteins
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Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 5
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Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 beta
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CDK5 protein, human
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Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3