Stable Complexes Involving Acetylcholinesterase and Amyloid-β Peptide Change the Biochemical Properties of the Enzyme and Increase the Neurotoxicity of Alzheimer’s Fibrils

作者：Alejandra R. Alvarez, Rodrigo Alarcón, Carlos Opazo, Eliseo O. Campos, Francisco J. Muñoz, Frances H. Calderón, Federico Dajas, Mary Kay Gentry, Bhupendra P. Doctor, Fernando Garcia De Mello, Nibaldo C. Inestrosa · 发表于：Journal of Neuroscience · 年份：1998 · DOI：10.1523/jneurosci.18-09-03213.1998 · 被引用次数：319 · 研究领域：Cholinesterase and Neurodegenerative Diseases、Alzheimer's disease research and treatments、Computational Drug Discovery Methods

Brain acetylcholinesterase (AChE) forms stable complexes with amyloid-beta peptide (Abeta) during its assembly into filaments, in agreement with its colocalization with the Abeta deposits of Alzheimer's brain. The association of the enzyme with nascent Abeta aggregates occurs as early as after 30 min of incubation. Analysis of the catalytic activity of the AChE incorporated into these complexes shows an anomalous behavior reminiscent of the AChE associated with senile plaques, which includes a resistance to low pH, high substrate concentrations, and lower sensitivity to AChE inhibitors. Furthermore, the toxicity of the AChE-amyloid complexes is higher than that of the Abeta aggregates alone. Thus, in addition to its possible role as a heterogeneous nucleator during amyloid formation, AChE, by forming such stable complexes, may increase the neurotoxicity of Abeta fibrils and thus may determine the selective neuronal loss observed in Alzheimer's brain.