Changes in the expression of the Alzheimer's disease-associated presenilin gene in drosophila heart leads to cardiac dysfunction
Journal
Current Alzheimer Research
Journal Volume
8
Journal Issue
3
Pages
313-322
Date Issued
2011
Author(s)
Li A.
Zhou C.
Moore J.
Zhang P.
Tsai T.-H.
Romano D.M.
McKee M.L.
Schoenfeld D.A.
Serra M.J.
Raygor K.
Cantiello H.F.
Fujimoto J.G.
Tanzi R.E.
Li A.
Zhou C.
Moore J.
Zhang P.
Tsai T.-H.
Romano D.M.
McKee M.L.
Schoenfeld D.A.
Serra M.J.
Raygor K.
Cantiello H.F.
Fujimoto J.G.
Tanzi R.E.
Abstract
Mutations in the presenilin genes cause the majority of early-onset familial Alzheimer's disease. Recently, presenilin mutations have been identified in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), a common cause of heart failure and the most prevalent diagnosis in cardiac transplantation patients. However, the molecular mechanisms, by which presenilin mutations lead to either AD or DCM, are not yet understood. We have employed transgenic Drosophila models and optical coherence tomography imaging technology to analyze cardiac function in live adult Drosophila. Silencing of Drosophila ortholog of presenilins (dPsn) led to significantly reduced heart rate and remarkably age-dependent increase in end-diastolic vertical dimensions. In contrast, overexpression of dPsn increased heart rate. Either overexpression or silencing of dPsn resulted in irregular heartbeat rhythms accompanied by cardiomyofibril defects and mitochondrial impairment. The calcium channel receptor activities in cardiac cells were quantitatively determined via real-time RT-PCR. Silencing of dPsn elevated dIP 3R expression, and reduced dSERCA expression; overexprerssion of dPsn led to reduced dRyR expression. Moreover, overexpression of dPsn in wing disc resulted in loss of wing phenotype and reduced expression of wingless. Our data provide novel evidence that changes in presenilin level leads to cardiac dysfunction, owing to aberrant calcium channel receptor activities and disrupted Wnt signaling transduction, indicating a pathogenic role for presenilin mutations in DCM pathogenesis. © 2011 Bentham Science Publishers Ltd.
Subjects
Alzheimer's disease; Calcium channel; Cardiomyopathy; Drosophila; Heart; Presenilin
SDGs
Other Subjects
complementary DNA; Drosophila protein; inositol 1,4,5 trisphosphate receptor; messenger RNA; presenilin; protein Patched; ryanodine receptor; sarcoplasmic reticulum calcium transporting adenosine triphosphatase; Wnt1 protein; animal tissue; article; cell ultrastructure; congestive cardiomyopathy; controlled study; dPsn gene; Drosophila; forelimb; gene; gene overexpression; heart arrhythmia; heart muscle cell; heart rate; limb development; male; mitochondrial toxicity; nonhuman; optical coherence tomography; pathogenesis; phenotype; priority journal; protein expression; protein function; real time polymerase chain reaction; reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction; RNA interference; signal transduction; transgenic animal; transmission electron microscopy; Western blotting; Alzheimer Disease; Animals; Animals, Genetically Modified; Blotting, Western; Calcium Channels; Cardiomyopathies; Drosophila melanogaster; Drosophila Proteins; Presenilins; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; Tomography, Optical Coherence; Wnt Signaling Pathway
Type
journal article