Amyloid beta induces neuronal cell death through ROS-mediated ASK1 activation

Amyloid beta (Abeta) is a main component of senile plaques in Alzheimer's disease and induces neuronal cell death. Reactive oxygen species (ROS), nitric oxide and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress have been implicated in Abeta-induced neurotoxicity. We have reported that apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1 (ASK1) is required for ROS- and ER stress-induced JNK activation and apoptosis. Here we show the involvement of ASK1 in Abeta-induced neuronal cell death. Abeta activated ASK1 mainly through production of ROS but not through ER stress in cultured neuronal cells. Importantly, ASK1(-/-) neurons were defective in Abeta-induced JNK activation and cell death. These results indicate that ROS- mediated ASK1 activation is a key mechanism for Abeta-induced neurotoxicity, which plays a central role in Alzheimer's disease.