Macropinocytosis of APP is controlled by a cascade of regulatory proteins

Abstract

AbstractBackgroundThe internalization of the Amyloid Precursor Protein (APP) is recognized as an important step in beta‐amyloid (Aβ) production. We have discovered that macropinocytosis of cell surface APP leads to rapid transport directly to lysosomes, bypassing early and late endosomes. This process leads to APP cleavage to Aβ and is regulated in part by Arf6.Here, we hypothesize that the binding/cross‐linking of APP at the cell surface recruits Fe65 and results in the recruitment and activation of Arf6. Arf6 then activates downstream small GTPases that are known to regulate macropinocytosis in non‐neuronal cells (including Rac1, Cdc42 and RhoA) leading to APP internalization by macropinocytosis.MethodNeuro2a neuronal cells are transfected with fluorescent‐tagged proteins including Fe65, Rac1, Cdc42 and RhoA. Membrane PI(4,5)P2, a marker for membrane ruffling and the initiation of macropinocytosis, is visualized using fluorescent‐tagged marker known as PLCdelta‐PH. Cells are cultured in 37°C confocal dishes on the stage of a Leica SP8 confocal microscope. Fluorescent‐labelled anti‐APP antibodies are added to bind/cross‐link APP at the plasma membrane. We then use confocal microscopy/live cell imaging to visualize the recruitment of the regulatory proteins in real time.ResultUpon anti‐APP antibody binding, we can see APP recruited to sites on the plasma membrane enriched with PI(4,5)P2 and the plasma membrane begins to ruffle. We see Fe65 rapidly recruited to the membrane, along with active Arf6 at these sites of membrane ruffling. We also observe Rac1, Cdc42 and RhoA recruited to these regions. APP at these sites is then observed to rapidly internalize to lysosomes, demonstrated by its colocalization with the lysosomal marker LAMP1.ConclusionThese results demonstrate the active recruitment of GTPase proteins known to regulate macropinocytosis to the membrane at sites of APP binding/cross‐linking. These regulators could be targeted to modulate APP trafficking and reduce the production of Aβ.