Activation of the γ-secretase complex and presence of γ-secretase-activating protein may contribute to Aβ42 production in sporadic inclusion-body myositis muscle fibers

Neurobiol Dis. 2012 Oct;48(1):141-9. doi: 10.1016/j.nbd.2012.06.008. Epub 2012 Jun 30.

Abstract

The muscle-fiber phenotype of sporadic inclusion-body myositis (s-IBM), the most common muscle disease associated with aging, shares several pathological abnormalities with Alzheimer disease (AD) brain, including accumulation of amyloid-β 42 (Aβ42) and its cytotoxic oligomers. The exact mechanisms leading to Aβ42 production within s-IBM muscle fibers are not known. Aβ42 and Aβ40 are generated after the amyloid-precursor protein (AβPP) is cleaved by β-secretase and the γ-secretase complex. Aβ42 is considered more cytotoxic than Aβ40, and it has a higher propensity to oligomerize, form amyloid fibrils, and aggregate. Recently, we have demonstrated in cultured human muscle fibers that experimental inhibition of lysosomal enzyme activities leads to Aβ42 oligomerization. In s-IBM muscle, we here demonstrate prominent abnormalities of the γ-secretase complex, as evidenced by: a) increase of γ-secretase components, namely active presenilin 1, presenilin enhancer 2, nicastrin, and presence of its mature, glycosylated form; b) increase of mRNAs of these γ-secretase components; c) increase of γ-secretase activity; d) presence of an active form of a newly-discovered γ-secretase activating protein (GSAP); and e) increase of GSAP mRNA. Furthermore, we demonstrate that experimental inhibition of lysosomal autophagic enzymes in cultured human muscle fibers a) activates γ-secretase, and b) leads to posttranslational modifications of AβPP and increase of Aβ42. Since autophagy is impaired in biopsied s-IBM muscle, the same mechanism might be responsible for its having increased γ-secretase activity and Aβ42 production. Accordingly, improving lysosomal function might be a therapeutic strategy for s-IBM patients.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Intramural

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Amyloid Precursor Protein Secretases / metabolism*
  • Amyloid beta-Peptides / metabolism*
  • Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis / metabolism
  • Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis / pathology
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Muscle, Skeletal / metabolism*
  • Muscle, Skeletal / pathology
  • Myositis, Inclusion Body / metabolism*
  • Myositis, Inclusion Body / pathology
  • Peptide Fragments / metabolism*
  • Polymyositis / metabolism
  • Polymyositis / pathology
  • Proteins / metabolism*

Substances

  • Amyloid beta-Peptides
  • GSAP protein, human
  • Peptide Fragments
  • Proteins
  • amyloid beta-protein (1-42)
  • Amyloid Precursor Protein Secretases