EGCG functions through estrogen receptor-mediated activation of ADAM10 in the promotion of non-amyloidogenic processing of APP

Estrogen depletion following menopause has been correlated with an increased risk of developing Alzheimer's disease (AD). We previously explored the beneficial effect of (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) on AD mice and found increased non-amyloidogenic processing of amyloid precursor protein (APP) through the alpha-secretase a disintegrin and metallopeptidase domain 10 (ADAM10). Our results in this study suggest that EGCG-mediated enhancement of non-amyloidogenic processing of APP is mediated by the maturation of ADAM10 via an estrogen receptor-alpha (ER alpha)/phosphoinositide 3-kinase/Ak-transforming dependent mechanism, independent of furin-mediated ADAM10 activation. These data support prior assertions that central selective ER modulation could be a therapeutic target for AD and support the use of EGCG as a well-tolerated alternative to estrogen therapy in the prophylaxis and treatment of this disease. (C) 2010 Federation of European Biochemical Societies. Published by Elsevier B. V. All rights reserved.