Impairment of phosphatase 2A contributes to the prolonged MAP kinase phosphorylation in Alzheimer's disease fibroblasts

Neurobiol Dis. 2003 Dec;14(3):458-69. doi: 10.1016/s0969-9961(03)00124-4.

Abstract

The serine/threonine phosphatase 2A (PP2A) has been implicated in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD) due to its important role in regulating dephosphorylation of the microtubule-associated protein tau and mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase. In the present study, we show that PP2A was responsible for dephosphorylation of the extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (Erk1/2) following its activation by BK stimulation. Abnormal gene and protein expressions of PP2A, as well as its activity, were found to contribute to the abnormally prolonged Erk1/2 phosphorylation in the AD fibroblasts. Inhibition of PP2A with okadiac acid produced enhanced and more lasting Erk1/2 phosphorylation after BK stimulation, whereas FK506, an inhibitor of PP2B and FK-binding protein, inhibited the BK-stimulated Erk1/2 phosphorylation. Furthermore, while the phosphorylated Erk1/2 was concentrated in the nucleus of AC cells, it was mainly distributed in the extranuclear compartments of AD cells. These results suggest that the delayed dephosphorylation of Erk1/2 in AD cells following its BK-stimulated activation may be due to deficits of PP2A activity and impaired nuclear translocation of phosphorylated Erk1/2.

MeSH terms

  • Active Transport, Cell Nucleus / drug effects
  • Active Transport, Cell Nucleus / physiology
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Alzheimer Disease / enzymology*
  • Alzheimer Disease / pathology
  • Alzheimer Disease / physiopathology
  • Cell Compartmentation / drug effects
  • Cell Compartmentation / physiology
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / pharmacology
  • Female
  • Fibroblasts / drug effects
  • Fibroblasts / enzymology*
  • Fibroblasts / pathology
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / metabolism*
  • Okadaic Acid / pharmacology
  • Peptidylprolyl Isomerase / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Peptidylprolyl Isomerase / metabolism
  • Phosphoprotein Phosphatases / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Phosphoprotein Phosphatases / genetics
  • Phosphoprotein Phosphatases / metabolism*
  • Phosphorylation / drug effects
  • Protein Phosphatase 2
  • RNA, Messenger / drug effects
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism
  • Tacrolimus / pharmacology
  • Tacrolimus Binding Proteins / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Tacrolimus Binding Proteins / metabolism

Substances

  • Enzyme Inhibitors
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Okadaic Acid
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases
  • Phosphoprotein Phosphatases
  • Protein Phosphatase 2
  • Tacrolimus Binding Proteins
  • FKBP10 protein, human
  • Peptidylprolyl Isomerase
  • Tacrolimus