Generic placeholder image

Current Alzheimer Research

Editor-in-Chief

ISSN (Print): 1567-2050
ISSN (Online): 1875-5828

Ubiquitin Enzymes, Ubiquitin and Proteasome Activity in Blood Mononuclear Cells of MCI, Alzheimer and Parkinson Patients

Author(s): C. Ullrich, R. Mlekusch, A. Kuschnig, J. Marksteiner and C. Humpel

Volume 7, Issue 6, 2010

Page: [549 - 555] Pages: 7

DOI: 10.2174/156720510792231766

Price: $65

Abstract

Alzheimers disease (AD) is a severe chronic neurodegenerative disease. During aging and neurodegeneration, misfolded proteins accumulate and activate the ubiquitin-proteasome system. The aim of the present study is to explore whether ubiquitin-activating enzyme E1, ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme E2, ubiquitin or proteasome activity are affected in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of AD, mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and Parkinsons disease (PD) patients compared to healthy subjects. PBMCs were isolated from EDTA blood samples and extracts were analyzed by Western Blot. Proteasome activity was measured with fluorogenic substrates. When compared to healthy subjects, the concentration of enzyme E1 was increased in PBMCs of AD patients, whereas the concentration of the enzyme E2 was decreased in the same patients. Ubiquitin levels and proteasome activity were unchanged in AD patients. No changes in enzyme expression or proteasome activity was observed in MCI patients compared to healthy and AD subjects. In PD patients E2 levels and proteasomal activity were significantly reduced, while ubiquitin and E1 levels were unchanged. The present investigation demonstrates the differences in enzyme and proteasome activity patterns of AD and PD patients. These results suggest that different mechanisms are involved in regulating the ubiquitin-proteasomal system in different neurodegenerative diseases.

Keywords: PBMC, mild cognitive impairment, diagnosis, blood cells


Rights & Permissions Print Cite
© 2024 Bentham Science Publishers | Privacy Policy