Protein phosphatase 2A methylation: A link between elevated plasma homocysteine and Alzheimer's Disease

Scott B. Vafai, Jeffry B. Stock

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

125 Scopus citations

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 languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1-4
Number of pages4
JournalFEBS Letters
Volume518
Issue number1-3
DOIs
StatePublished - 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

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