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Biochemical Society Transactions (2006) 34, (1277–1282) (Printed in Great Britain)

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Survival signalling in Alzheimer's disease

W.J. Lukiw¹ and N.G. Bazan¹

Neuroscience Center and Department of Ophthalmology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, 2020 Gravier Street, Suite D, New Orleans, LA 70112-2272, U.S.A.

Key words: Alzheimer's disease, amyloid b-peptide (Ab), cytosolic phospholipase A₂, docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), neuron survival, soluble amyloid precursor protein (sAPPa).

Abbreviations used: AD, Alzheimer's disease; Ab, amyloid b-peptide; Ab42, Ab 42-amino-acid variant; APPa, amyloid precursor protein a; bAPP, b-amyloid precursor protein; Bad, Bcl-2/Bcl-X_L-antagonist, causing cell death; CNS, central nervous system; COX-2, cyclo-oxygenase-2; PLA₂, phospholipase A₂; cPLA₂, cytosolic PLA₂; DHA, docosahexaenoic acid; 15-LOX, 15-lipoxygenase; NPD1, neuroprotectin D1; sAPPa, soluble APPa.

¹Correspondence may be addressed to either author (email wlukiw@lsuhsc.edu or nbazan@lsuhsc.edu).

Abstract

Significant advancements in our understanding of cell-survival signalling in AD (Alzheimer's disease) stem from recent investigations into the metabolism, trafficking and fate of the essential w-3 fatty acid DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) (C_22:6, n=3). Brain synaptic terminals and neuronal plasma membranes are highly enriched in DHA, and deficiencies in this polyunsaturated fatty acid are characteristic of AD-affected brain. Oxidative stress, targeting phospholipids containing DHA, and age-related DHA depletion are associated with the progressive erosion of normal cognitive function in AD. Current studies support the idea that DHA itself and novel DHA-derived neural synapse- and membrane-derived lipid messengers have considerable potential to modulate cell survival signalling in stressed cultured neural cell models in vitro and in mammalian models of learning, memory and AD in vivo. Key players in this intrinsic rescue system include the a-secretase-processed neurotrophin sAPPa [soluble APPa (amyloid precursor protein a)] peptide, the DHA-derived 10,17S-docosatriene NPD1 (neuroprotectin D1), a tandem brain cytosolic phospholipase A₂ and 15-lipoxygenase enzymatic system that biosynthesizes NPD1, and a small family of anti-apoptotic neuroprotective genes that encode Bcl-2, Bcl-X_L and Bfl-1 (A1). This paper reviews current ideas regarding DHA and the oxygenated DHA derivative NPD1, intrinsically triggered biolipid neuroprotectants that along with their associated rescue pathways, contribute to life-or-death decisions of brain cells during homoeostasis, aging and neurodegenerative disease.

Received 3 July 2006

© 2006 Biochemical Society