Neurodegeneration

Ubiquitin carboxyl-terminal esterase-L1 (UCHL1), or gene product 9.5 (PGP9.5), belongs to a gene family that hydrolyzes small C-terminal adducts of ubiquitin to generate the monomers. The expression of UCHL1/PGP9.5 is highly specific to neurons and to cells of the diffuse neuroendocrine system as well as their tumors, and has been linked to neurodegenerative disease in humans.

PINK1 (PTEN-induced putative kinase 1) is a mitochondrial directed serine-threonine kinase, that regulates normal mitochondrial function and transport vital to normal performance of neurons and neuronal survival. PINK1 has been shown to be localized to the cytosol, endoplasmic reticulum and the mitochondria. Some investigators have associated PINK1 localization to the intermembrane space, outer membrane insertion with a kinase domain facing towards the cytosol.

LC3B, also known as microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 beta (MAP1LC3B), is an autophagy gene that contributes appreciably to protein degradation. Autophagy is a highly synchronized and dynamic catabolic degradation activity that plays an essential role in cellular maintenance, development, antigen presentation and cell death.

In the UK, 127,000 people are affected by the progressive neurodegenerative condition Parkinson's disease. Parkinson's is extremely difficult to diagnose in its early stages. The current method of diagnosis includes examination for physical signs of Parkinson's along with a detailed history of symptoms. The defining neuropathological characteristics of Parkinson's disease is Lewy bodies.

Synaptophysin a Marker Protein in Neuroendocrine Cells Synaptophysin is a major integral membrane glycoprotein of neuronal synaptic vesicles present in virtually all synapses and shows a high degree of evolutionary conservation across the mammals. Synaptophysin has been detected in numerous endocrine cell types and is localized in the membrane of small synaptic-like vesicles.

Mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) is a serine/threonine protein kinase and has been known to play its role in cell growth and proliferation. mTOR is activated by phosphorylationin response to growth factors, mitogens and hormones. Rapamycin is a macrolide antibiotic from Streptomyces hygroscopicus that specifically inhibit the activity of mTOR.

Bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) variously abbreviated as BrdU, BudR, and BrdUrd, is a synthetic thymidine analog that gets incorporated into the DNA of dividing cells during the S-phase of the cell cycle and has a long history of heavy use in molecular and cytokinetic studies (1).

CDR2 is a tumor antigen expressed in a high percentage of breast and ovarian tumors and is the target of a naturally occurring tumor immune response in patients with paraneoplastic cerebellar degeneration.

A major histopathological hallmark of Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the presence of amyloid deposits in the parenchyma of the amygdala, hippocampus, and neocortex. The principal component of amyloid is beta amyloid (AB). The pathologic accumulation of AB in plaques is postulated to result from an imbalance between production and clearance during aging.

Amyloid beta (AB) peptide has a central role in the neurodegeneration of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Immunization of AD transgenic mice with AB_-42 peptide reduces both the spatial memory impairments and AD-like neuropathologic changes.