Article abstract
Nature Medicine 14, 1097 - 1105 (2008)
Published online: 21 September 2008 | doi:10.1038/nm.1868
Cyclophilin D deficiency attenuates mitochondrial and neuronal perturbation and ameliorates learning and memory in Alzheimer's disease
Heng Du1, Lan Guo1, Fang Fang1, Doris Chen1, Alexander A Sosunov2, Guy M McKhann2, Yilin Yan3, Chunyu Wang3, Hong Zhang4,5, Jeffery D Molkentin6, Frank J Gunn-Moore7, Jean Paul Vonsattel4, Ottavio Arancio4,5, John Xi Chen8 & Shi Du Yan1,4,5
Abstract
Cyclophilin D (CypD, encoded by Ppif) is an integral part of the mitochondrial permeability transition pore, whose opening leads to cell death. Here we show that interaction of CypD with mitochondrial amyloid-
protein (A) potentiates mitochondrial, neuronal and synaptic stress. The CypD-deficient cortical mitochondria are resistant to A- and Ca2+-induced mitochondrial swelling and permeability transition. Additionally, they have an increased calcium buffering capacity and generate fewer mitochondrial reactive oxygen species. Furthermore, the absence of CypD protects neurons from A- and oxidative stress–induced cell death. Notably, CypD deficiency substantially improves learning and memory and synaptic function in an Alzheimer's disease mouse model and alleviates A-mediated reduction of long-term potentiation. Thus, the CypD-mediated mitochondrial permeability transition pore is directly linked to the cellular and synaptic perturbations observed in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease. Blockade of CypD may be a therapeutic strategy in Alzheimer's disease.
- Departments of Surgery, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, 630 West 168th Street, New York, New York 10032, USA.
- Neurosurgery, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, 630 West 168th Street, New York, New York 10032, USA.
- Biology Department, Center for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Studies, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, 110 8th Street, Troy, New York 12180-3590, USA.
- Department of Pathology, the Aging Brain, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, 630 West 168th Street, New York, New York 10032, USA.
- Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University, 630 West 168th Street, New York, New York 10032, USA.
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati, Children's Hospital Medical Center, 3333 Burnet Avenue, Cincinnati, Ohio 45229, USA.
- School of Biology, 79 North Street, University of St. Andrews, St. Andrews KY16 9TS, Scotland.
- Department of Neurology, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, Cornell University, 1275 York Avenue, New York, New York 10065, USA.
Correspondence to: Shi Du Yan1,4,5 e-mail: sdy1@columbia.edu
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