Decreased clearance of CNS beta-amyloid in Alzheimer's disease

Alzheimer's disease is hypothesized to be caused by an imbalance between β-amyloid (Aβ) production and clearance that leads to Aβ accumulation in the central nervous system (CNS). Aβ production and clearance are key targets in the development of disease-modifying therapeutic agents for Alzheimer's disease. However, there has not been direct evidence of altered Aβ production or clearance in Alzheimer's disease. By using metabolic labeling, we measured Aβ42 and Aβ40 production and clearance rates in the CNS of participants with Alzheimer's disease and cognitively normal controls. Clearance rates for both Aβ42 and Aβ40 were impaired in Alzheimer's disease compared with controls. On average, there were no differences in Aβ40 or Aβ42 production rates. Thus, the common late-onset form of Alzheimer's disease is characterized by an overall impairment in Aβ clearance.

Enantiomeric Form of myo-Inositol-1-Phosphate Produced by myo-Inositol-1-Phosphate Synthase and myo-Inositol Kinase in Higher Plants

The product of myo-inositol-1-phosphate synthase, EC 5.5.1.4, from mature pollen of Lilium longiflorum Thunb., cv Ace (Easter lily) and that of myo-inositol kinase, EC 2.7.1.64, from wheat germ has been identified as 1l-myo-inositol-1-phosphate by gas chromatography of its trimethylsilyl-methyl phosphate derivative on a glass capillary column bearing a chiral phase.