We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. This includes personalizing content and advertising. To learn more, click here. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies. Cookie Policy.

Features Partner Sites Information LinkXpress hp
Sign In
Advertise with Us
PURITAN MEDICAL

Download Mobile App




Small Peptide Cures Alzheimer's Disease in Mouse Model by Blocking Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 5 Activity

By LabMedica International staff writers
Posted on 15 Jan 2013
A potential new treatment for Alzheimer's disease (AD) is based on a peptide derived from the activator of the protein cyclin-dependent kinase 5 (Cdk5), a critical neuronal kinase that is hyperactivated in the brains of AD patients.

In addition to the characteristic pathology of amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs), it has been reported that Cdk5 is hyperactivated in AD brains and is, in part, responsible for the development of this pathology. More...


Investigators at the [US] National Institutes of Health (Bethesda, MD, USA) prepared a 24-amino acid peptide (TFP5) derived from the Cdk5 activator p35. The p35protein is a neuron-specific activator of CDK5; the activation of CDK5 is required for proper development of the central nervous system. The p35 form of this protein is proteolytically cleaved by calpain, generating a p25 form. The cleavage of p35 into p25 results in relocalization of the protein from the cell periphery to nuclear and perinuclear regions. P25 deregulates CDK5 activity by prolonging its activation and changing its cellular location. The p25 form accumulates in the brain neurons of AD patients. This accumulation correlates with an increase in CDK5 kinase activity, and may lead to aberrantly phosphorylated forms of the microtubule-associated protein tau, which contributes to Alzheimer's disease.

The investigators injected TFP5 into a group of 5XFAD mice, an animal model that closely mimics human AD. Other 5XFAD mice were injected with either saline or scrambled peptide placebos.

Results published in the January 2013 issue of the FASEB Journal revealed that TFP5 penetrated the blood-brain barrier, inhibited abnormal Cdk5 hyperactivity, and reversed AD pathology by up to 70%–80%.

The mice injected with TFP5 exhibited behavioral rescue, whereas no rescue was observed in the mice injected with either saline or scrambled peptide. Nonetheless, TFP5 did not inhibit cell cycle Cdks or normal Cdk5/p35 activity, and thereby had no toxic side effects. In addition, treated mice displayed decreased inflammation, amyloid plaques, NFTs, cell death, and life span extended by two months.

The results suggest that TFP5 may be a potential therapeutic, toxicity-free candidate for AD. "We hope that clinical trial studies in AD patients should yield an extended and a better quality of life as observed in mice upon TFP5 treatment," said senior author Dr. Harish C. Pant, senior investigator in neurosciences at the [US] National Institutes of Health. "Therefore, we suggest that TFP5 should be an effective therapeutic compound."

Related Links:
National Institutes of Health



New
Gold Member
Cardiovascular Risk Test
Metabolic Syndrome Array I & II
3-Part Differential Hematology Analyzer
Swelab Alfa Plus Sampler
New
Gel Cards
DG Gel Cards
New
Automated Chemiluminescence Immunoassay Analyzer
MS-i3080
Read the full article by registering today, it's FREE! It's Free!
Register now for FREE to LabMedica.com and get access to news and events that shape the world of Clinical Laboratory Medicine.
  • Free digital version edition of LabMedica International sent by email on regular basis
  • Free print version of LabMedica International magazine (available only outside USA and Canada).
  • Free and unlimited access to back issues of LabMedica International in digital format
  • Free LabMedica International Newsletter sent every week containing the latest news
  • Free breaking news sent via email
  • Free access to Events Calendar
  • Free access to LinkXpress new product services
  • REGISTRATION IS FREE AND EASY!
Click here to Register








DIASOURCE (A Biovendor Company)

Channels

Molecular Diagnostics

view channel
Image: A diagnostic test can distinguish patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma who can be cured with surgery alone (Photo courtesy of University of Turku)

Novel Diagnostic Tool to Revolutionize Treatment Guidance of Head and Neck Cancer

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is a solid tumor type commonly treated with surgery. However, there has been no clinically available method to determine which patients can be cured with surgery... Read more

Hematology

view channel
Image: The microfluidic device for passive separation of platelet-rich plasma from whole blood (Photo courtesy of University of the Basque Country)

Portable and Disposable Device Obtains Platelet-Rich Plasma Without Complex Equipment

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) plays a crucial role in regenerative medicine due to its ability to accelerate healing and repair tissue. However, obtaining PRP traditionally requires expensive centrifugation... Read more

Immunology

view channel
Image: The 3D paper-based analytical device has shown high clinical accuracy for adult-onset immunodeficiency (Photo courtesy of National Taiwan University)

Paper-Based Device Accurately Detects Immune Defects in 10 Minutes

Patients with hidden immune defects are especially vulnerable to severe and persistent infections, often due to autoantibodies that block interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), a key molecule in immune defense.... Read more

Microbiology

view channel
Image: The groundbreaking salmonella antimicrobial resistance prediction platform has demonstrated 95% accuracy (Photo courtesy of Yujie You et al., DOI: 10.1016/j.eng.2025.01.013)

New Platform Leverages AI and Quantum Computing to Predict Salmonella Antimicrobial Resistance

Antimicrobial-resistant Salmonella strains are a growing public health concern due to the overuse of antimicrobials and the rise of genetic mutations. Accurate prediction of resistance is crucial for effective... Read more

Technology

view channel
Image: The Check4 gene-detection platform (Photo courtesy of IdentifySensors)

Electronic Biosensors Used to Detect Pathogens Can Rapidly Detect Cancer Cells

A major challenge in healthcare is the early and affordable detection of serious diseases such as cancer. Early diagnosis remains difficult due to the complexity of identifying specific genetic markers... Read more
Copyright © 2000-2025 Globetech Media. All rights reserved.