Activation of liver x receptor decreases BACE1 expression and activity by reducing membrane cholesterol levels

  • Weigang Cui
  • , Yan Sun
  • , Zhongping Wang
  • , Chongchong Xu
  • , Li Xu
  • , Fei Wang
  • , Zulin Chen
  • , Yuwen Peng
  • , Ruixi Li

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

29 Scopus citations

Abstract

The synthetic Liver X receptor (LXR) activator T0901317 has been reported to exert neuroprotective effect in Alzheimer's disease, but the relationship between LXR activation and beta-site amyloid precursor protein cleaving enzyme 1 (BACE-1) remains uncertain. This study investigated the effect of T0901317 on membrane cholesterol levels, BACE1 expression and activity. We found that T0901317 decreased membrane cholesterol levels, reduced BACE1 expression and activity as well as b-secretase cleaved C-terminal fragment (b-CTF) levels in vivo and in vitro. Meanwhile, the expression of ATP-binding membrane cassette transport protein A1 (ABCA1) enhanced. Additionally, inhibition of ABCA1 abrogated the effects of T0901317 on membrane cholesterol levels and b-secretase activity. Moreover, addition of LXR antagonist reversed the effect of T0901317 on ABCA1 mRNA expression, membrane cholesterol levels and b-secretase activity. Our results suggest that activation of LXR may decrease BACE1 expression and activity through a pathway associated with ABCA1-mediated reduction in membrane cholesterol levels.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1910-1921
Number of pages12
JournalNeurochemical Research
Volume36
Issue number10
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 2011
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Alzheimer's disease
  • BACE1
  • Beta-amyloid
  • Liver X receptor
  • Membrane cholesterol

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