c-Jun regulates the stability of anti-apoptotic ΔNp63 in amyloid-β-induced apoptosis

J Alzheimers Dis. 2012;28(3):685-94. doi: 10.3233/JAD-2011-111547.

Abstract

p63, the structural and functional homologue of p53, is expressed either as a full-length isoform, containing a transactivation (TA) domain (TAp63), or as a truncated isoform, which lacks TA (ΔNp63). Amyloid-β (Aβ) incubation of neuronal cells results in stress-induced cell death through poorly understood mechanisms. We investigated the role of p63 in Aβ-induced stress. Our results show that Aβ-induced apoptosis of rat PC12 neuronal-like cells and primary cortical neurons was associated with stabilization of pro-apoptotic TAp63 and, most importantly, degradation of anti-apoptotic ΔNp63 through a MAPK- and proteasome-dependent mechanism. This was associated with increased c-Jun, and partially modulated by tauroursodeoxycholic acid. As expected, classic genotoxic insults resulted in c-Jun upregulation and concomitant ΔNp63 reduction. Endogenous and ectopic ΔNp63 expression was also markedly reduced by c-Jun overexpression. Further, Aβ-mediated ΔNp63 degradation occurred in a c-Jun-dependent manner. Downregulation of c-Jun expression by specific c-Jun siRNA abrogated the reduction of ΔNp63 levels following Aβ insult, whereas overexpression of c-Jun led to its degradation. c-Jun significantly decreased ΔNp63 half-life. Together, these findings demonstrate that the abundance of anti-apoptotic ΔNp63 in response to Aβ-induced cell stress is regulated by a c-Jun-dependent mechanism, and highlight the importance of finding novel targets for potential therapeutic intervention.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amyloid beta-Peptides / pharmacology*
  • Animals
  • Apoptosis / drug effects*
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Cerebral Cortex / cytology
  • Embryo, Mammalian
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / pharmacology
  • Gene Expression Regulation / drug effects
  • Gene Expression Regulation / genetics
  • Half-Life
  • Mice
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Kinases / metabolism
  • Neurons / drug effects
  • PC12 Cells
  • Proteasome Endopeptidase Complex / metabolism
  • Protein Structure, Tertiary / genetics
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-jun / metabolism*
  • RNA, Small Interfering / genetics
  • RNA, Small Interfering / metabolism
  • Rats
  • Taurochenodeoxycholic Acid / pharmacology
  • Time Factors
  • Transcription Factors / metabolism*
  • Transcriptional Activation / drug effects
  • Transcriptional Activation / genetics
  • Transfection / methods
  • Tumor Suppressor Proteins / metabolism*

Substances

  • Amyloid beta-Peptides
  • Enzyme Inhibitors
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-jun
  • RNA, Small Interfering
  • TP63 protein, human
  • Transcription Factors
  • Tumor Suppressor Proteins
  • Taurochenodeoxycholic Acid
  • ursodoxicoltaurine
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Kinases
  • Proteasome Endopeptidase Complex