Kinematics of electromigration-driven sliding of Co nanorod fillers inside multi-walled carbon nanotubes.

The movement of Co nanorods driven by electromigration inside multi-walled carbon nanotubes was observed using in situ transmission electron microscopy. This study provides a unique method of experimental determination of both the electromigration force strength and sliding friction. When the tip of a biased electrode was located within the portion of a Co nanorod filler and an electric current was applied to push a part of the Co filler along the flow of electrons, the Co filler showed a trigonometric motion. Both the electromigration force strength and sliding friction were determined by analysis of the trigonometric movements. When a reversed electric current was applied to pull a part of the Co nanorod filler, its motion was hyperbolic-cosine like, and the motion was not suitable to determine the strengths of the two forces. Our method and the results would be useful for the development of the methods to precisely control mass transfer at the nanoscale.

Proteomic analysis of the heart in normal aging mice.

Aging induces pathological cardiovascular changes such as cardiac dysfunction and arteriosclerosis. With aging, heart cells, especially, become more susceptible to lethal damage. In this report, we tried to understand the precise mechanism of myocardial change resulting from aging by examining the heart proteome in aging mice using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2DE). The proteins were stained with fluorescence dyes (SYPRO Ruby and Pro-Q Diamond) and identified by subsequent MALDI-TOF-MS / MS. As a result, markedly altered levels of 14 proteins and 7 phosphoproteins were detected in the hearts of 3-, 7-, 11-, and 20-month-old mice. The functions of these identified proteins and phosphoproteins were energy metabolism, muscle contraction, glycolysis, and cytoskeletal support. Additionally, the results of Western blotting confirmed changes in the expression of FTH, CPNE5, and SUCLA2. These findings showed that aging modified the expression of proteins and phosphoproteins in the heart. We suggest that changes in the expression of these proteins are critical to the development of cardiac dysfunction resulting from aging. J. Med. Invest. 69 : 217-223, August, 2022.

Proteomic analysis involved with synaptic plasticity improvement by GABAA receptor blockade in hippocampus of a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease.

GABAergic system plays a part in synaptic plasticity in the hippocampus. We had reported a long-term potentiation (LTP)-like facilitation in vivo, known as synaptic plasticity, through GABAA receptor blockade by bicuculline and the expression of proteins involved with this synaptic plasticity in mouse hippocampus. In the present study, we aimed to show improvement of impaired synaptic plasticity through GABAA receptor blockade and to clarify the molecular mechanisms involved with this improvement in the hippocampus of mice overexpressing human amyloid precursor protein with the E693Δ mutation (APPOSK-Tg) as an Alzheimer's disease model showing impaired synaptic plasticity. Electrophysiological study showed that the LTP-like facilitation expressed with application of bicuculline in vivo was significantly greater than impaired tetanic LTP in APPOSK-Tg mice, which was improved by bicuculline. Proteomic analysis showed that the expression of 11 proteins in the hippocampus was significantly changed 8 h after bicuculline application to APPOSK-Tg mice. The identified proteins could be functionally classified as chaperone, cytoskeletal protein, energy metabolism, metabolism, neuronal development, and synaptic component. Additionally, western blotting validated the changes in four proteins. We therefore propose that the improvement of impaired synaptic plasticity through GABAA receptor blockade could be mediated by the changed expression of these proteins.

Changes in the expression of prefoldin subunit 5 depending on synaptic plasticity in the mouse hippocampus.

Prefoldin is a molecular chaperone that assists the folding of newly synthesized polypeptide chains and prevents aggregation of misfolded proteins. Dysfunction of prefoldin is one of the causes of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease. The aim of this study was to clarify the involvement of prefoldin subunit 5 (PFDN5) in synaptic plasticity. PFDN5 protein expressed in the hippocampus was predominantly localized in the pyramidal cell layer of CA1-CA3 regions. Nicotine application caused a long-term potentiation (LTP)-like facilitation in vivo, that is synaptic plasticity, in the mouse hippocampus. The levels of PFDN5 mRNA and protein were increased 2-24 h and 4-24 h, respectively, after intraperitoneal application of nicotine (3 mg/kg, i.p.), finally returning to the basal level. This increase of PFDN5 protein was significantly inhibited by mecamylamine (0.5 mg/kg, i.p.), a non-selective nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) antagonist, and required combined application of ABT-418 (10 mg/kg, i.p.), a selective α4ß2 nAChR agonist, and choline (30 mg/kg, i.p.), a selective α7 nAChR agonist. In transgenic mice overexpressing human tau with N279 K mutation as a model of Alzheimer's disease that showed impaired synaptic plasticity, the levels of PFDN5 mRNA and protein in the hippocampus were significantly decreased in an age-dependent manner as compared with age-matched control. The findings demonstrated that the level of PFDN5 protein in the hippocampus was changed depending on the situation of synaptic plasticity. We propose that PFDN5 could be one of the important components of synaptic plasticity.

Proteomic Analysis of Hippocampus and Cortex in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Model Mice Showing Dementia.

AIM: Diabetes with its associated hyperglycemia induces various type of peripheral damage and also impairs the central nervous system (CNS). This study is aimed at clarifying the precise mechanism of diabetes-induced dementia as an impairment of CNS. METHODS: The proteomic analysis of the hippocampus and cortex in streptozotocin- (STZ-) treated mouse diabetic model showing dementia was performed using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE) followed by mass spectrometry (n = 3/group). RESULTS: Significant changes in the expression of 32 proteins and 7 phosphoproteins were observed in the hippocampus and cortex. These identified proteins and phosphoproteins could be functionally classified as cytoskeletal protein, oxidoreductase, protein deubiquitination, energy metabolism, GTPase activation, heme binding, hydrolase, iron storage, neurotransmitter release, protease inhibitor, transcription, glycolysis, antiapoptosis, calcium ion binding, heme metabolic process, protein degradation, vesicular transport, and unknown in the hippocampus or cortex. Additionally, Western blotting validated the changes in translationally controlled tumor protein, ATP-specific succinyl-CoA synthetase beta subunit, and gamma-enolase isoform 1. CONCLUSIONS: These findings showed that STZ-induced diabetes changed the expression of proteins and phosphoproteins in the hippocampus and cortex. We propose that alterations in expression levels of these proteins play an important role in diabetes-induced dementia.

Mutation-induced loss of APP function causes GABAergic depletion in recessive familial Alzheimer's disease: analysis of Osaka mutation-knockin mice.

The E693Δ (Osaka) mutation in APP is linked to familial Alzheimer's disease. While this mutation accelerates amyloid ß (Aß) oligomerization, only patient homozygotes suffer from dementia, implying that this mutation is recessive and causes loss-of-function of amyloid precursor protein (APP). To investigate the recessive trait, we generated a new mouse model by knocking-in the Osaka mutation into endogenous mouse APP. The produced homozygous, heterozygous, and non-knockin littermates were compared for memory, neuropathology, and synaptic plasticity. Homozygotes showed memory impairment at 4 months, whereas heterozygotes did not, even at 8 months. Immunohistochemical and biochemical analyses revealed that only homozygotes displayed intraneuronal accumulation of Aß oligomers at 8 months, followed by abnormal tau phosphorylation, synapse loss, glial activation, and neuron loss. These pathologies were not observed at younger ages, suggesting that a certain mechanism other than Aß accumulation underlies the memory disturbance at 4 months. For the electrophysiology studies at 4 months, high-frequency stimulation evoked long-term potentiation in all mice in the presence of picrotoxin, but in the absence of picrotoxin, such potentiation was observed only in homozygotes, suggesting their GABAergic deficit. In support of this, the levels of GABA-related proteins and the number of dentate GABAergic interneurons were decreased in 4-month-old homozygotes. Since APP has been shown to play a role in dentate GABAergic synapse formation, the observed GABAergic depletion is likely associated with an impairment of the APP function presumably caused by the Osaka mutation. Oral administration of diazepam to homozygotes from 6 months improved memory at 8 months, and furthermore, prevented Aß oligomer accumulation, indicating that GABAergic deficiency is a cause of memory impairment and also a driving force of Aß accumulation. Our findings suggest that the Osaka mutation causes loss of APP function, leading to GABAergic depletion and memory disorder when wild-type APP is absent, providing a mechanism of the recessive heredity.

The influence of chronic nicotine treatment on proteins expressed in the mouse hippocampus and cortex.

Chronic treatment with nicotine, the primary psychoactive substance in tobacco smoke, affects central nervous system functions, such as synaptic plasticity. Here, to clarify the effects of chronic nicotine treatment on the higher brain functions, proteomic analysis of the hippocampus and cortex of mice treated for 6 months with nicotine was performed using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE) followed by mass spectrometry. There was significant change in the expression of 16 proteins and one phosphoprotein in the hippocampus (increased tubulin ß-5, atp5b, MDH1, cytochrome b-c1 complex subunit 1, Hsc70, dynamin, profilin-2, 4-aminobutyrate aminotransferase, mitochondrial isoform 1 precursor, calpain small subunit 1, and vacuolar adenosine triphosphatase subunit B and decreased γ-actin, α-tubulin isotype M-α-2, putative ß-actin, tubulin ß-2A, NDUFA10, and G6PD) and 24 proteins and two phosphoproteins in the cortex (increased spectrin α chain, non-erythrocytic 1 isoform 1, tubulin ß-5, γ-actin, creatine kinase B-type, LDH-B, secernin-1, UCH-L1, 14-3-3 γ, type II peroxiredoxin 1, PEBP-1, and unnamed protein product and decreased tubulin α-1C, α-internexin, γ-enolase, PDHE1-B, DPYL2, vacuolar adenosine triphosphatase subunit A, vacuolar adenosine triphosphatase subunit B, TCTP, NADH dehydrogenase Fe-S protein 1, protein disulfide-isomerase A3, hnRNP H2, γ-actin, atp5b, and unnamed protein product). Additionally, Western blotting validated the changes in dynamin, Hsc70, MDH1, NDUFA10, α-internexin, tubulin ß-5 chain, and secernin-1. Thus, these findings indicate that chronic nicotine treatment changes the expression of proteins and phosphoproteins in the hippocampus and cortex. We propose that effect of smoking on higher brain functions could be mediated by alterations in expression levels of these proteins.

Proteomic analysis of mouse choroid plexus cell line ECPC-4 treated with lipid A.

OBJECTIVES: Choroid plexus (CP) epithelial cells have multiple functions in the cerebral ventricles, including cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) production and forming part of the blood-CSF barrier. They are also responsible for producing inflammatory mediators involved in meningitis. The present study aimed to elucidate the functions of the CP epithelial cells during CNS inflammation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We analyzed the proteome and phosphoproteome in lipid A-treated ECPC-4 mouse CP cells by gel electrophoresis and mass spectrometry. RESULTS: Levels of 10 proteins and seven phosphoproteins were significantly altered by lipid A in time-dependent manners, including V-type proton ATPase subunit B (ATP6V), protein 40 kD, elongation factor-1δ, coatomer subunit ε (COPE), vimentin (isoform CRA a), purine nucleoside phosphorylase, eukaryotic initiation factor-4F splicing variant, put. ß-actin, peroxiredoxin-6 isoform 1, and immunoglobulin heavy chain variable region. These proteins could be classified as having cytoskeleton/intermediate filament, protein-folding, signal-transduction, cell-growth, metabolism, and redox-regulation functions. The identified phosphoproteins were HSP 84, γ-actin, HSP 70 cognate, vimentin, tubulin ß-4B chain, protein disulfide-isomerase A6 precursor, and heterogenous nuclear ribonucleoprotein, which could be classified as having cytoskeleton/intermediate filament, protein-folding, and metabolism functions. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that lipid A can change the levels of proteins and phosphoproteins in ECPC-4 cells, suggesting that the identified proteins and phosphoproteins may play important roles in inflammation of the CP.

Lipid A-activated inducible nitric oxide synthase expression via nuclear factor-κB in mouse choroid plexus cells.

Choroid plexus (CP) which is responsible for the inflammatory mediators including nitric oxide (NO) are thought to play a crucial role in the process of bacterial meningitis. The present study investigated the mechanisms regulating inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression in the choroid plexus epithelium (CPe) in mice. Initially, the expression of iNOS in mouse CPe was strengthened by intracerebroventriclar (i.c.v.) administration of lipid A, which is part of a Gram-negative bacterial endotoxin located at one end of the lipopolysaccharide (LPS) molecule. Next, the expression of iNOS in the CP epithelial cell line ECPC-4 cells was increased from 24 to 48h after lipid A treatment, although mRNA and proteins of toll-like receptor (TLR)-2 and -4 expressed in ECPC-4 cells were not changed by lipid A. The expression of total nuclear factor κB (NFκB), an inflammatory transcriptional factor, in ECPC-4 cells was not changed for 72 h after lipid A treatment, while cytoplasmic NFκB was decreased and nuclear NFκB was increased from 1 to 2 h. In addition, the phosphorylation of inhibitor κB (IκB) was peaked at 10 min, and the level of IκB was attenuated from 10 to 45 min after lipid A treatment. Moreover, the RNA interference (RNAi) of NFκB suppressed the expression of iNOS induced by lipid A. We demonstrated that lipid A-induced iNOS expression in ECPC-4 cells was mainly regulated by the activation of NFκB-IκB intracellular signaling pathway. Thus, we propose that the CPe plays a pivotal role in innate immunity responses of the brain, that is, the signal pathway TLRs on the CPe following inflammatory stimulation such as meningitis is activated, leading to iNOS expression through NFκB.

Changes in the expression of collapsin response mediator protein-2 during synaptic plasticity in the mouse hippocampus.

We have previously reported that nicotine application to the adult mouse causing long-term potentiation-like facilitation in vivo in the hippocampus can serve as a model of synaptic plasticity. The present study clarifies the involvement of collapsin response mediator protein-2 (CRMP2) in synaptic plasticity. CRMP2 was detected in hippocampal neurons of adult mice. The levels of CRMP2 mRNA and protein were increased 2-24 hr and 4-24 hr, respectively, after application of nicotine (3 mg/kg, i.p.), finally returning to the basal level by 48 hr. Furthermore, the ratio of phosphorylated CRMP2 (pCRMP2) at Thr514 residue, an inactive form, to total CRMP2 levels was not changed during synaptic plasticity expressed by nicotine, indicating an enhanced level of non-pCRMP2. This increase of CRMP2 was inhibited by blockade of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) and required activation of both α4ß2 and α7 nAChRs. Although the level of ubiquitinated CRMP2 was increased 8 hr after nicotine treatment, the ratio of ubiquitinated CRMP2 to total CRMP2 protein was similar for nicotine-treated and nontreated mice. This study demonstrates that the expression of CRMP2 increases in hippocampal neurons during synaptic plasticity and that the increment is due mainly to mRNA expression. We propose that CRMP2, particularly non-pCRMP2, could contribute to long-lasting synaptic plasticity.

The influence of chronic ibuprofen treatment on proteins expressed in the mouse hippocampus.

Ibuprofen is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), treatment with which has been shown to delay the onset, slows the cognitive decline, and decreases the incidence of Alzheimer׳s disease (AD) in epidemiological and clinical studies. However, a comprehensive understanding of its mechanism of action remains unclear. To elucidate the prophylactic effect of ibuprofen on the onset of the learning and memory disturbances of AD, we performed proteomic analysis of the hippocampus of chronic ibuprofen-treated mice using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE) followed by mass spectrometry. Twenty-eight proteins and seven phosphoproteins were identified to be significantly changed in the hippocampus of chronic ibuprofen-treated mice: translationally controlled tumor protein, thioredoxin-dependent peroxide reductase, and peroxiredoxin 6 were increased, and glial fibrillary acidic protein, dihydropyrimidinase-related protein 2, EF-hand domain-containing protein D2, and 14-3-3ζ were decreased. These identified proteins and phosphoproteins could be classified as cytoskeletal, neuronal development, chaperone, metabolic, apoptosis, neurotransmitter release, ATP synthase, deubiquitination, proteasome, NOS inhibitor, adapter, vesicle transport, signal transduction, antioxidant enzyme, proton transport, synaptogenesis, and serine/threonine phosphatase types. Western blot analysis showed the changes in dihydropyrimidinase-related protein 2, heat shock protein 8, ubiquitin carboxyl-terminal hydrolase PGP9.5, and γ-enolase levels in the hippocampus of chronic ibuprofen-treated mice. These findings showed that the chronic treatment with ibuprofen changed the levels of some proteins and phosphoproteins in the hippocampus. We propose that these identified proteins and phosphoproteins play an important role in decreasing the incidence of AD, especially impaired learning and memory functions.

Intracellular and nuclear bradykinin B2 receptors.

Bradykinin is a vasoactive peptide that participates in numerous inflammatory processes, vasodilation, and cell growth/survival; it mainly acts through two receptor subtypes, bradykinin B1 and bradykinin B2 receptors, which are G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) family members. Details on ubiquitin-dependent degradation via the lysosome and/or proteasome, and the recycling process that directs bradykinin B2 receptor to the cell surface after agonist-induced endocytosis remain unclear; nevertheless, intracellular localization and internalization of GPCRs following stimulation by ligands are well known. Evidence concerning the nuclear localization and functions of GPCRs has been accumulating. The bradykinin B2 receptor has been shown to localize in the nucleus and suggested to function as a transcriptional regulator of specific genes. The transfer of membrane GPCRs (regardless of liganding), including the bradykinin B2 receptor to the nucleus can be attributed to the presence of a peptide sequence referred to as the nuclear localization signal (NLS). More recently, we found that nuclear bradykinin B2 receptors form heterodimers with the nuclear lamina protein, lamin C. The function of heterodimerization of the bradykinin B2 receptor with lamin C is still unclear. However, nuclear proteins lamin A/C are involved in a variety of diseases. Although further studies are required to elucidate the precise functions and mechanisms of intracellular and nuclear bradykinin B2 receptors, here we discuss the role of lamin A/C in laminopathies and examine the clinical significance of the bradykinin B2 receptor heterodimer.

Nuclear localization of bradykinin B(2) receptors reflects binding to the nuclear envelope protein lamin C.

The mechanism of action of bradykinin (BK), a pro-inflammatory mediator, is thought to be mediated by specific cell surface membrane bradykinin B2 receptors. Some evidence suggests that there are both intracellular and nuclear bradykinin B2 receptors. This study identified proteins that interact with the C-terminus of the bradykinin B2 receptor (in particular, the nuclear membrane protein lamin C), using the yeast two-hybrid system. The motif of the C-terminal domain (CT) mutant 303-320 in bradykinin B2 receptor was identified as a lamin C protein binding motif. Immunohistochemistry revealed colocalization of FLAG- bradykinin B2 receptor with HA-lamin C in the nucleus of HEK 293T cells. In situ proximity ligation assay (PLA) showed that FLAG-bradykinin B2 receptor formed heterodimers with HA-lamin C in the nucleus. In addition, live cell fluorescence imaging showed that bradykinin B2 receptor-EGFP was located in the nucleus and co-localized with HcRed-lamin C. Interestingly, neither BK addition nor bradykinin B2 receptor CT mutation reduced the binding to lamin C or changed the distribution of bradykinin B2 receptor. Taken together, these findings demonstrate that bradykinin B2 receptor-lamin C heterodimers form in the nucleus independent of BK stimulation and CT mutation. We propose that heterodimerization of bradykinin B2 receptor with lamin C is essential to nuclear localization of bradykinin B2 receptor and plays an important role in cell signaling and function.

Proteomic analysis of time-dependent changes in proteins expressed in mouse hippocampus during synaptic plasticity induced by GABAA receptor blockade.

Protein synthesis is required for long-lasting synaptic plasticity. We examined the time-dependent changes in protein expression that occurred in the hippocampus during synaptic plasticity using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis followed by mass spectrometry. The levels of 15 proteins were significantly changed in mouse hippocampus 8h after bicuculline application (1.0mg/kg, i.p.). Expression of 14 proteins (i.e., dihydropyrimidinase-related protein 2, α-tubulin isotype M-α-2, tubulin ß-1 chain, tubulin ß-2A chain, protein disulfide-isomerase ERp61 precursor, chaperonin-containing T complex polypeptide 1 ß subunit, T complex polypeptide 1 [partial], creatine kinase B-type, cytosolic malate dehydrogenase [partial], vacuolar adenosine triphosphatase subunit A, and uncharacterized protein LOC433182) was increased and expression of one protein (i.e., actin γ, cytoplasmic 1) was decreased. Western blotting also validated the changes in dihydropyrimidinase-related protein 2, creatine kinase B-type, and vacuolar adenosine triphosphatase subunit A levels in mouse hippocampus 8h after bicuculline application. The identified proteins were effectors of cellular functions including neuronal differentiation, cytoskeletal dynamics, folding of proteins, stress response, energy metabolism, synapse formation, and unknown function. Taken together, these findings indicate that the identified proteins play an important role in synaptic plasticity in the hippocampus.

Proteomic analysis of the hippocampus in Alzheimer's disease model mice by using two-dimensional fluorescence difference in gel electrophoresis.

We previously identified the E693Δ mutation in amyloid precursor protein (APP) in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) and then generated APP-transgenic mice expressing this mutation. As these mice possessed abundant Aß oligomers from 8 months of age but no amyloid plaques even at 24 months of age, they are a good model to study pathological effects of amyloid ß (Aß) oligomers. The two-dimensional fluorescence difference in gel electrophoresis (2D-DIGE) technology, using a mixed-sample internal standard, is now recognized as an accurate method to determine and quantify proteins. In this study, we examined the proteins for which levels were altered in the hippocampus of 12-month-old APP(E693Δ)-transgenic mice using 2D-DIGE and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Fourteen proteins were significantly changed in the hippocampus of APP(E693Δ)-transgenic mice. Actin cytoplasmic 1 (ß-actin), heat shock cognate 71kDa, γ-enolase, ATP synthase subunit ß, tubulin ß-2A chain, clathrin light chain B (clathrin) and dynamin-1 were increased. Heat shock-related 70kDa protein 2, neurofilament light polypeptide (NFL), stress-induced-phosphoprotein 2, 60kDa heat shock protein (HSP60), α-internexin, protein kinase C and casein kinase substrate in neurons protein 1 (Pacsin 1), α-enolase and ß-actin were decreased. Western blotting also validated the changed levels of HSP60, NFL, clathrin and Pacsin 1 in APP(E693Δ)-transgenic mice. The identified proteins could be classified as cytoskeleton, chaperons, neurotransmission, energy supply and signal transduction. Thus, proteomics by 2D-DIGE and LC-MS/MS has provided knowledge of the levels of proteins in the early stages of AD brain.

The expression changes of EphA3 receptor during synaptic plasticity in mouse hippocampus through activation of nicotinic acetylcholine receptor.

We have reported that systemic application of nicotinic agonists results in expression of a long-term potentiation-like facilitation, a model of synaptic plasticity, in the mouse hippocampus in vivo. Eph receptors and their ephrin ligands, are thought to participate in synaptic plasticity. The present study was conducted to clarify the involvement of EphA3 receptor in synaptic plasticity by investigating the time-dependent change of the expression levels of EphA3 receptor during long-term potentiation-like facilitation in the mouse hippocampus. EphA3 receptor mRNA and protein expression was found in adult mouse hippocampus. EphA3 receptor was localized in neuronal cells but not astrocytes or microglia of hippocampus. After intraperitoneal application of nicotine (3 mg/kg), the protein expression of EphA3 receptor in hippocampus increased during 2-24-h period, significantly increasing during 2-12-h period, and finally returned to the basal level in 72 h, although the mRNA expression of EphA3 receptor was not changed for 24 h. This enhanced expression of EphA3 receptor protein at 4 h was inhibited by pretreatment of mecamylamine (0.5 mg/kg, intraperitoneally), a nonselective nicotinic acetylcholine receptor antagonist. Our findings demonstrated that EphA3 receptor localized only in neuronal cells of the hippocampus was enhanced without transcriptional regulation during synaptic plasticity through activation of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor. These results suggest that the enhancement of EphA3 receptor after synaptic plasticity may contribute to long-lasting synaptic plasticity through positive, feedforward mechanisms.

Proteomic analysis of the brain tissues from a transgenic mouse model of amyloid ß oligomers.

Amyloid ß (Aß) oligomers are presumed to be one of the causes of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Previously, we identified the E693Δ mutation in amyloid precursor protein (APP) in patients with AD who displayed almost no signals of amyloid plaques in amyloid imaging. We generated APP-transgenic mice expressing the E693Δ mutation and found that they possessed abundant Aß oligomers from 8months of age but no amyloid plaques even at 24months of age, indicating that these mice are a good model to study pathological effects of Aß oligomers. To elucidate whether Aß oligomers affect proteome levels in the brain, we examined the proteins and phosphoproteins for which levels were altered in 12-month-old APP(E693Δ)-transgenic mice compared with age-matched non-transgenic littermates. By two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2DE) followed by staining with SYPRO Ruby and Pro-Q Diamond and subsequent mass spectrometry techniques, we identified 17 proteins and 3 phosphoproteins to be significantly changed in the hippocampus and cerebral cortex of APP(E693Δ)-transgenic mice. Coactosin like-protein, SH3 domain-bind glutamic acid-rich-like protein 3 and astrocytic phosphoprotein PEA-15 isoform 2 were decreased to levels less than 0.6 times those of non-transgenic littermates, whereas dynamin, profilin-2, vacuolar adenosine triphosphatase and creatine kinase B were increased to levels more than 1.5 times those of non-transgenic littermates. Furthermore, 2DE Western Blotting validated the changed levels of dynamin, dihydropyrimidinase-related protein 2 (Dpysl2), and coactosin in APP(E693Δ)-transgenic mice. Glyoxalase and isocitrate dehydrogenase were increased to levels more than 1.5 times those of non-transgenic littermates. The identified proteins could be classified into several groups that are involved in regulation of different cellular functions, such as cytoskeletal and their interacting proteins, energy metabolism, synaptic component, and vesicle transport and recycling. These findings indicate that Aß oligomers altered the levels of some proteins and phosphoproteins in the hippocampus and cerebral cortex, which could illuminate novel therapeutic avenues for the treatment of AD.

Phosphoproteome profiling using a fluorescent phosphosensor dye in two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis.

We validated the novel PhosphoQUANTI SolidBlue Complex (PQSC) dye for the sensitive fluorescent detection of phosphorylated proteins in polyacrylamide- and two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (PAGE and 2DE, respectively). PQSC can detect as little as 15.6 ng of ß-casein, a pentaphosphorylated protein, and 61.3 ng of ovalbumin, a diphosphorylated protein. Fluorescence intensity correlates with the number of phosphorylated residues on the protein. To demonstrate the specificity of PQSC for phosphoproteins, enzymatically dephosphorylated lysates of Swiss 3T3 cells were separated in 2DE gels and stained by PQSC. The fluorescence signals in these gels were markedly reduced following dephosphorylation. When the phosphorylated proteins in Swiss 3T3 cell lysates were concentrated using a phosphoprotein enrichment column, the majority of phosphoproteins showed fluorescence signals in the pI 4-5 range. Finally, we performed phosphoproteome analysis to study differences in the protein phosphorylation profiles of proliferating and quiescent Swiss 3T3 cells. Over 135 discernible protein spots were detected, from which a selection of 15 spots were identified by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI TOF-MS). The PQSC staining procedure for phosphoprotein detection is simple, reversible, and fully compatible with MALDI TOF-MS.

Synaptotagmin1 synthesis induced by synaptic plasticity in mouse hippocampus through activation of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors.

We have reported that systemic application of nicotinic agonists expresses a long-term potentiation (LTP)-like facilitation, a model of synaptic plasticity, in vivo in the mouse hippocampus. The present study conducted to clarify the involvement of synaptotagmin1 in synaptic plasticity by investigating the time-dependent change of the mRNA and protein levels of synaptotagmin1 during LTP-like facilitation in the mouse hippocampus. The mRNA expression of synaptotagmin1 increased during 2- to 8-h period by intraperitoneal application of nicotine (3mg/kg), returning to the basal level in 12-h. Also, the protein level of synaptotagmin1, but not synaptophysin, in a total fraction from hippocampus increased during 4- to 12-h period by the same treatment, returning to the basal level in 24-h. The protein level of synaptotagmin1 in a membrane fraction from hippocampus also increased during 4- to 8-h period by nicotine, returning to the basal level in 12-h. This nicotine-enhanced synaptotagmin1 protein in a membrane fraction was inhibited by pretreatment of mecamylamine (0.3mg/kg, i.p.), a nonselective nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) antagonist. Furthermore, choline (30mg/kg, i.p.), a selective α7 nAChR agonist, or ABT-418 (10mg/kg, i.p.), a selective α4ß2 nAChR agonist, enhanced the level of synaptotagmin1 in a membrane fraction. Our findings demonstrate that synaptotagmin1 protein following mRNA which is enhanced without increasing the number of synapse gathers around pre-synaptic membrane during hippocampal LTP-like facilitation through activation of α7 and/or α4ß2 nAChRs in the brain. These results suggest that new-synthesized synaptotagmin1 following synaptic plasticity may contribute to long-lasting synaptic plasticity via positive, feedfoward mechanisms.

A mouse model of amyloid beta oligomers: their contribution to synaptic alteration, abnormal tau phosphorylation, glial activation, and neuronal loss in vivo.

Although amyloid beta (Abeta) oligomers are presumed to cause synaptic and cognitive dysfunction in Alzheimer's disease (AD), their contribution to other pathological features of AD remains unclear. To address the latter, we generated APP transgenic mice expressing the E693Delta mutation, which causes AD by enhanced Abeta oligomerization without fibrillization. The mice displayed age-dependent accumulation of intraneuronal Abeta oligomers from 8 months but no extracellular amyloid deposits even at 24 months. Hippocampal synaptic plasticity and memory were impaired at 8 months, at which time the presynaptic marker synaptophysin began to decrease. Furthermore, we detected abnormal tau phosphorylation from 8 months, microglial activation from 12 months, astrocyte activation from 18 months, and neuronal loss at 24 months. These findings suggest that Abeta oligomers cause not only synaptic alteration but also other features of AD pathology and that these mice are a useful model of Abeta oligomer-induced pathology in the absence of amyloid plaques.