Justicidin A Reduces β-Amyloid via Inhibiting Endocytosis of β-Amyloid Precursor Protein
10.4062/biomolther.2018.112
- Author:
Yoon Sun CHUN
1
;
Oh Hoon KWON
;
Hyun Geun OH
;
Yoon Young CHO
;
Hyun Ok YANG
;
Sungkwon CHUNG
Author Information
1. Department of Physiology, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Suwon 16419, Republic of Korea. schung@skku.edu
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Alzheimer's disease;
β-amyloid precursor protein;
Justicidin A;
Endocytosis;
β-amyloid
- MeSH:
Alzheimer Disease;
Cell Membrane;
Cognition;
Endocytosis;
Endosomes;
HeLa Cells;
Humans;
Tanzania;
Vegetables
- From:Biomolecules & Therapeutics
2019;27(3):276-282
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
β-amyloid precursor protein (APP) can be cleaved by α-, and γ-secretase at plasma membrane producing soluble ectodomain fragment (sAPPα). Alternatively, following endocytosis, APP is cleaved by β-, and γ-secretase at early endosomes generating β-amyloid (Aβ), the main culprit in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Thus, APP endocytosis is critical for Aβ production. Recently, we reported that Monsonia angustifolia, the indigenous vegetables consumed in Tanzania, improved cognitive function and decreased Aβ production. In this study, we examined the underlying mechanism of justicidin A, the active compound of M. angustifolia, on Aβ production. We found that justicidin A reduced endocytosis of APP, increasing sAPPα level, while decreasing Aβ level in HeLa cells overexpressing human APP with the Swedish mutation. The effect of justicidin A on Aβ production was blocked by endocytosis inhibitors, indicating that the decreased APP endocytosis by justicidin A is the underlying mechanism. Thus, justicidin A, the active compound of M. angustifolia, may be a novel agent for AD treatment.
