Cited by 139Alzheimer's disease research and treatmentsDementia and Cognitive Impairment ResearchNeuroinflammation and Neurodegeneration Mechanisms

Why is the amyloid beta peptide of Alzheimer’s disease neurotoxic?

Rauk, Arvi·2008·Dalton Transactions

Abstract

In this article, we support the case that the neurotoxic agent in Alzheimer's disease is a soluble aggregated form of the amyloid beta peptide (Abeta), probably complexed with divalent copper. The structure and chemical properties of the monomeric peptide and its Cu(ii) complex are discussed, as well as what little is known about the oligomeric species. Abeta oligomers are neurotoxic by a variety of mechanisms. They adhere to plasma and intracellular membranes and cause lesions by a combination of radical-initiated lipid peroxidation and formation of ion-permeable pores. In endothelial cells this damage leads to loss of integrity of the blood-brain barrier and loss of blood flow to the brain. At synapses, the oligomers close neuronal insulin receptors, mirroring the effects of Type II diabetes. In intracellular membranes, the most damaging effect is loss of calcium homeostasis. The oligomers also bind to a variety of substances, mostly with deleterious effects. Binding to cholesterol is accompanied by its oxidation to products that are themselves neurotoxic. Possibly most damaging is the binding to tau, and to several kinases, that results in the hyperphosphorylation of the tau and abrogation of its microtubule-supporting role in maintaining axon structure, leading to diseased synapses and ultimately the death of neurons. Several strategies are presented and discussed for the development of compounds that prevent the oligomerization of Abeta into the neurotoxic species.

Integrity signals

Registry

Crossref · 10.1039/b718601k

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140 of 140 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

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Authors
Rauk, A.
Affiliations
University of Calgary (CA)
Corresponding author
Rauk, Arvi
Venue
Dalton Transactions
Published
2008
Issue
10
Pages
1273
ISSN
  • 1477-9226 (ISSN-L)
  • 1477-9234
OpenAlex
W2151128898
Cited by
139
References
140
Citations by year
2026: 2 · 2025: 6 · 2024: 1 · 2022: 6 · 2021: 14 · 2020: 5 · 2019: 6 · 2018: 8 · 2017: 3 · 2016: 3 · 2015: 9 · 2014: 10 · 2013: 13 · 2012: 10
FWCI
9.71
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Dalton Transactions (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Alzheimer's disease research and treatments
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Dementia and Cognitive Impairment Research
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Neurology › Neuroinflammation and Neurodegeneration Mechanisms
Keywords
amyloid-beta, Alzheimer's disease, neurotoxicity, copper(II) complexes, peptide aggregation, oligomers, lipid peroxidation, blood-brain barrier, insulin receptor, calcium homeostasis, cholesterol oxidation, tau hyperphosphorylation, kinase binding, synaptic dysfunction
MeSH terms
Alzheimer Disease, Animals, Humans, Peptide Fragments, Protein Binding, Porosity, Amyloid beta-Peptides, Oxidative Stress

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