Amyloid beta receptors responsible for neurotoxicity and cellular defects in Alzheimer's disease

Cell Mol Life Sci. 2014 Dec;71(24):4803-13. doi: 10.1007/s00018-014-1706-0. Epub 2014 Aug 24.

Abstract

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common neurodegenerative disease. Although a major cause of AD is the accumulation of amyloid-β (Aβ) peptide that induces neuronal loss and cognitive impairments, our understanding of its neurotoxic mechanisms is limited. Recent studies have identified putative Aβ-binding receptors that mediate Aβ neurotoxicity in cells and models of AD. Once Aβ interacts with a receptor, a toxic signal is transduced into neurons, resulting in cellular defects including endoplasmic reticulum stress and mitochondrial dysfunction. In addition, Aβ can also be internalized into neurons through unidentified Aβ receptors and induces malfunction of subcellular organelles, which explains some part of Aβ neurotoxicity. Understanding the neurotoxic signaling initiated by Aβ-receptor binding and cellular defects provide insight into new therapeutic windows for AD. In the present review, we summarize the findings on Aβ-binding receptors and the neurotoxicity of oligomeric Aβ.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Alzheimer Disease / metabolism*
  • Amyloid beta-Peptides / metabolism*
  • Animals
  • Humans
  • Models, Biological
  • Neurons / metabolism*
  • Neurons / pathology
  • Neurotoxicity Syndromes / metabolism*
  • Protein Binding
  • Receptors, Cell Surface / metabolism*
  • Signal Transduction

Substances

  • Amyloid beta-Peptides
  • Receptors, Cell Surface