Increase in p53 Protein Levels by Presenilin 1 Gene Mutations and its Inhibition by Secretase Inhibitors

Presenilin 1 (PS1) gene mutations are the major causes of early-onset familial Alzheimer's disease and are known to increase amyloid-β₄₂ (Aβ₄₂) production as well as to promote apoptosis. We have recently reported that intracellular Aβ₄₂ activates p53 mRNA expression and promotes p53-dependent apoptosis. Here, we examined the p53 mRNA and protein levels in cells transfected with wild-type and I143T/G384A mutant PS1 genes. Although the baseline p53 mRNA levels remained unaltered, the p53 protein levels were significantly elevated in mutant PS1-transfected cells. Treatments with apoptosis-inducing agents induced significant elevation of the p53 protein but not p53 mRNA levels in mutant PS1-transfected cells. Treatment with a β-secretase inhibitor and γ-secretase inhibitor decreased the intracellular Aβ levels in amyloid-β protein precursor (AβPP) and PS1-double transfected cells, and restrained upregulation of the p53 protein levels in the mutant PS1-transfected cells. Also, we found that proteasome activity was decreased in mutant PS1-transfected cells compared to wild-type PS1-transfected cells. Proteasome activity was further decreased in AβPP/PS1-double transfected cells. Taken together, p53-dependent apoptosis upregulated by the I143T/G384A mutant PS1 gene may be associated, at least in part, with intracellular Aβ and proteasome impairment.