Monogenic determinants of familial Alzheimer's disease: presenilin-2 mutations

Cell Mol Life Sci. 1998 Sep;54(9):910-9. doi: 10.1007/s000180050220.

Abstract

Presenilin-2 (PS2) is one of three genes [amyloid precursor protein (APP), presenilin-1 (PS1) and PS2] shown to cause familial Alzheimer's disease (FAD), and is highly homologous to PS1. Currently demonstrated functions of PS2 include interactions with APP and A beta, and participation in apoptotic pathways. PS2 FAD mutations influence APP processing in a manner predicted to promote amyloid formation and also enhance the proapoptotic effect of wild-type PS2. Other possible functions of PS2 are related to its homology to Notch pathway genes in Caenorhabditis elegans, suggesting it may have a developmental role. PS2-associated AD is the most reminiscent of the sporadic form of the disease in terms of older age of onset and longer disease duration. Since PS2 mutations are incompletely penetrant and age of onset in carriers is highly variable (40-88 years), elucidation of PS2 mechanisms may reveal factors which modify AD and are therapeutically relevant to sporadic AD.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Age of Onset
  • Aged
  • Alzheimer Disease / genetics*
  • Alzheimer Disease / metabolism
  • Alzheimer Disease / pathology
  • Amyloid beta-Peptides / genetics
  • Amyloid beta-Peptides / metabolism
  • Animals
  • Apoptosis / genetics
  • Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins*
  • Evolution, Molecular
  • Gene Expression
  • Gene Frequency
  • Helminth Proteins / genetics
  • Humans
  • Membrane Proteins / chemistry
  • Membrane Proteins / genetics*
  • Membrane Proteins / metabolism
  • Middle Aged
  • Mutation*
  • Phenotype
  • Presenilin-2
  • Subcellular Fractions / metabolism

Substances

  • Amyloid beta-Peptides
  • Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins
  • Helminth Proteins
  • Membrane Proteins
  • PSEN2 protein, human
  • Presenilin-2
  • SEL-12 protein, C elegans