Abstract
Tau hyperphosphorylation is a central event in the development of Alzheimer's Disease (AD). Protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) heterotrimer formation is necessary for efficient dephosphorylation of the tau protein. S-Adenosylmethionine-dependent carboxyl methylation is essential for the assembly of PP2A heterotrimers. Epidemiological evidence indicates that elevated plasma homocysteine is an independent risk factor for AD. Homocysteine is a key intermediate in the methyl cycle and elevated plasma homocysteine results in a global decrease in cellular methylation. We propose that the PP2A methylation system is the link relating elevated plasma homocysteine to AD.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 1-4 |
Number of pages | 4 |
Journal | FEBS Letters |
Volume | 518 |
Issue number | 1-3 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - May 8 2002 |
All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes
- Genetics
- Molecular Biology
- Biophysics
- Structural Biology
- Biochemistry
- Cell Biology
Keywords
- Alzheimer's Disease
- Homocysteine
- Methyl cycle
- Protein phosphatase 2A methylation
- Tau phosphorylation