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Protein Phosphatase 5 Plays Pivotal Neuroprotective Role Against Cell Death in Alzheimer's Disease

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— 1 min read

Scientists in the United States have made significant findings in their study on the role of protein phosphatase 5 (PP5) in protecting neurons against amyloid-beta toxicity in Alzheimer's disease. According to E. Sanchez-Ortiz and colleagues from Purdue University, PP5 plays a crucial role in inactivating mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways, which are activated by the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) caused by amyloid-beta. The researchers found that over-expression of PP5 prevented MAPK phosphorylation and neurotoxicity induced by amyloid-beta, and also protected neurons from cell death caused by oxidative stress.

Key Takeaways:

  • PP5 is a ubiquitously expressed serine/threonine phosphatase that inactivates MAPK pathways through key dephosphorylation events.
  • Decreased expression of PP5 in neurons made them more susceptible to amyloid-beta toxicity.
  • Over-expression of PP5 prevented MAPK phosphorylation and neurotoxicity induced by amyloid-beta.
  • PP5 also protected neurons from cell death caused by oxidative stress, but did not prevent the generation of ROS induced by amyloid-beta.
  • The neuroprotective effect of PP5 requires its phosphatase activity and lies downstream of amyloid-beta-induced generation of ROS.
  • PP5 might be an effective therapeutic target in Alzheimer's disease and other neurodegenerative disorders in which oxidative stress is implicated.

Statistics:

  • 111(2): the issue number and volume of the Journal of Neurochemistry where the study was published.
  • 391-402: the page numbers where the study was published in the Journal of Neurochemistry.
  • 2009: the year the study was published.

Sources:

  • Sanchez-Ortiz et al, "Protein phosphatase 5 protects neurons against amyloid-beta toxicity." Journal of Neurochemistry, 2009;111(2):391-402.
  • Purdue University, Purdue Cancer Center, Dept. of Biochemistry, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907 USA.
  • Blackwell Publishing Inc., 350 Main St., Malden, MA 02148, USA.

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