Protein metabolism

Question 1

What are the 2 forms of ER?

Answer 1

rough ER: carries ribosomes

smooth ER: further protein processing

Question 2

What are the effects of Alzheimer’s on the brain’s morphology?

Answer 2

Shrinkage of the cerebral cortex
enlarged ventricles
shrinkage of hippocampus

Question 3

What are plaques in AD?

Answer 3

Plaques: Aggregation of ß-amyloid proteins

Question 4

What are tangles in Alzeheimer´s disease?

Answer 4

Tangles: caused by loss of neuronal organizations. -> tau (scaffold) helps to assembly the 2-helical structure of neurons, when phosphorylated tau is not able to do that -> neuron falls apart

Question 5

What do plaques consist of?

Answer 5

42-43 insoluble Aß-amyloid peptide, derived by cleavage of amyloid precursor protein (APP) (transmembrane protein)

APP is a transmembrane protein and its normal function is proteinase inhibition

Question 6

Which pathway leads to Aß-plaque formation?

Answer 6

ß-secretase cleaving APP -> formation of Aß -> plaque formation over time

Question 7

What is Presenilin and its role in AD?

Answer 7

It is a component of the gamma-secretase complex, it is a aspartyl protease, regulation the Aß formation

Question 8

More Neuronal degenerative diseases:

Answer 8

Prions: CJD, FSS, FFI
Huntington’s disease
Parkisnon