Membrane dynamics, cholesterol homeostasis, and Alzheimer's disease

Abstract

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is characterized by the deposition of β-amyloid (Aβ) plaques derived from the amyloidogenic processing; of a transmembrane protein called β-amyloid precursor protein (APP). In addition to the known genetic/sporadic factors that promote the formation of Aβ, the composition and structural dynamics of the membrane are also thought to play a significant role in the amyloidogenic processing of APP that promotes seeding of Aβ.This minireview reinforces the roles played by membrane dynamics, membrane microdomains, and cholesterol homeostasis in relation to amyloidogenesis, and reviews current strategies of lowering cholesterol in treating AD.

Keywords

• β-amyloid precursor
• protein processing
• lipid raft
• caveolae
• glycophosphatidylinositol
• apolipoprotein E