The amyloid precursor protein controls PIKfyve function

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

  • Zita Balklava - (Author)
  • Christian Niehage - , TUD Dresden University of Technology (Author)
  • Heather Currinn - (Author)
  • Laura Mellor - (Author)
  • Benjamin Guscott - (Author)
  • Gino Poulin - (Author)
  • Bernard Hoflack - , TUD Dresden University of Technology (Author)
  • Thomas Wassmer - (Author)

Abstract

While the Amyloid Precursor Protein (APP) plays a central role in Alzheimer's disease, its cellular function still remains largely unclear. It was our goal to establish APP function which will provide insights into APP's implication in Alzheimer's disease. Using our recently developed proteo-liposome assay we established the interactome of APP's intracellular domain (known as AICD), thereby identifying novel APP interactors that provide mechanistic insights into APP function. By combining biochemical, cell biological and genetic approaches we validated the functional significance of one of these novel interactors. Here we show that APP binds the PIKfyve complex, an essential kinase for the synthesis of the endosomal phosphoinositide phosphatidylinositol-3,5-bisphosphate. This signalling lipid plays a crucial role in endosomal homeostasis and receptor sorting. Loss of PIKfyve function by mutation causes profound neurodegeneration in mammals. Using C. elegans genetics we demonstrate that APP functionally cooperates with PIKfyve in vivo. This regulation is required for maintaining endosomal and neuronal function. Our findings establish an unexpected role for APP in the regulation of endosomal phosphoinositide metabolism with dramatic consequences for endosomal biology and important implications for our understanding of Alzheimer's disease.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Article numbere0130485
JournalPloS one
Volume10
Issue number6
Publication statusPublished - 30 Jun 2015
Peer-reviewedYes
Externally publishedYes

External IDs

PubMed 26125944