Abstract
Clinical case study and functional characterization of the disease-associated presenilin-1 (PSEN1) mutations may help reveal the roles of PSEN1 in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). By mutation screening of PSEN1, presenilin-2, and amyloid precursor protein genes in two Chinese Alzheimer's pedigrees, we identified two novel PSEN1 mutations, I249L and P433S. The two probands presented with progressive memory decline and subsequent psychiatric symptoms, with the age of onset at 54 and 34 years old, respectively. The effects of these two mutations on presenilin-1 endoproteolysis and β-amyloid (Aβ) production were examined in SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells infected with lentiviruses expressing presenilin-1 wild type (WT), I249L and P433S mutants. Both mutants showed increased Aβ42 levels and Aβ42/Aβ40 ratios. However, the I249L did not affect presenilin-1 endoproteolysis or Aβ43 production, whereas the P433S mutant inhibited presenilin-1 endoproteolysis and enhanced Aβ43 production. Our findings suggest that both I249L and P433S are pathogenic for early onset of AD by increasing Aβ42 production and Aβ42/Aβ40 ratios. Furthermore, P433S may contribute to the very early onset of AD by inhibiting PS1 endoproteolysis and enhancing the production of longer Aβ peptide Aβ43.