Abstract
inheritance of the apolipoprotein (apoE) ε4 allele is a risk factor for developing Alzheimers disease (AD). The purpose of the present study was to determine effects of apoE-isoforms on the transbilayer distribution of cholesterol in synaptic plasma membranes (SPM) using mice expressing human apoE3 and apoE4. Total SPM cholesterol levels did not differ among the wild-type and apoE3 and apoE4 knock-in mice. However, a striking difference was observed in the transbilayer distribution of SPM cholesterol. ApoE4 knock-in mice showed an ∼2-fold increase in exofacial leaflet cholesterol compared with apoE3 knock-in mice and wild-type mice. The results of this study suggest that pathogenic effects of apoE4 on AD development could be closely linked to alteration of cholesterol distribution in SPM.
Original language | English (US) |
---|---|
Pages (from-to) | 383-386 |
Number of pages | 4 |
Journal | Neuroreport |
Volume | 13 |
Issue number | 4 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Mar 25 2002 |
Keywords
- Alzheimer's disease
- Apolipoprotein E
- Cholesterol
- Knock-in mouse
- Synaptic plasma membrane