Copper levels are increased in the cerebral cortex and liver of APP and APLP2 knockout mice

Abstract

The pathological process in Alzheimer's disease (AD) involves amyloid beta (Aβ) deposition and neuronal cell degeneration. The neurotoxic Aβ peptide is derived from the amyloid precursor protein (APP), a member of a larger gene family including the amyloid precursor-like proteins, APLP1 and APLP2. The APP and APLP2 molecules contain metal binding sites for copper and zinc. The zinc binding domain (ZnBD) is believed to have a structural rather than a catalytic role. The activity of the copper binding domain (CuBD) is unknown, however, APP reduces copper (II) to copper (I) and this activity could promote copper-mediated neurotoxicity. The expression of APP and APLP2 in the brain suggests they ..