Mechanism of Ca2+ disruption in Alzheimer's disease by presenilin regulation of InsP3 receptor channel gating

Mutations in presenilins (PS) are the major cause of familial Alzheimer's disease (FAD) and have been associated with calcium (Ca2+) signaling abnormalities. Here, we demonstrate that FAD mutant PS1 (M146L) and PS2 (N141I) interact with the inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor (InSP3R) Ca2+ release channel and exert profound stimulatory effects on its gating activity in response to saturating and suboptimal levels of InsP(3). These interactions result in exaggerated cellular Ca2+, signaling in response to agonist stimulation as well as enhanced low-level Ca2+, signaling in unstimulated cells. Parallel studies in InSP3R-expressing and -deficient cells revealed that enhanced Ca2+ release from the endoplasmic reticulum as a result of the specific interaction of PS1-M146L with the InSP3R stimulates amyloid beta processing, an important feature of AD pathology. These observations provide molecular insights into the Ca2+ dysregulation hypothesis of AD pathogenesis and suggest novel targets for therapeutic intervention.