Secreted β-APP stimulates MAP kinase and phosphorylation of tau in neurons

Abstract

We have previously demonstrated that the secreted form of the β-amyloid precursor protein (β-APP) activates mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases in PC-12 pheochromocytoma cells. β-APP as well as other treatments that activate MAP kinase also enhance phosphorylation of the microtubule-associated protein tau in these cells. In this study, we extended this analysis to neurons. Using dissociated cultures of cortical neurons, we found that exposure to β-APP activated MAP kinase 4 and 7 days but not 1 day after plating. Phosphorylation of tau in neurons was measured by immunoreactivity with the AT8 antibody, which recognizes a phosphorylated epitope present in tau from paired helical filaments. We found that activation of MAP kinase in neurons was associated with increased amounts of AT8-reactive tau. These results support a role for MAP kinase in transducing the biological effects of secreted β-APP on neurons and suggest possible mechanisms by which β-APP might be involved in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease.