Although it is well-known that synaptosomal proteins are deranged in neurodegenerative disorders, no information is available at the protein-chemical level as mainly immunochemical or immunohistochemical data were reported previously. We therefore investigated synaptosomal proteins in brain specimens from patients with Down syndrome (DS) and Alzheimer’s disease (AD) to challenge the DS synaptic pathology as well as the relevance of DS to AD in synaptic pathology. For the aim of this study, we employed two-dimensional electrophoresis and matrix-associated laser desorption ionization mass spectroscopy and determined β-soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor attachment protein (β-SNAP), γ-SNAP and synaptotagmin I (SYT I) in 7 individual brain regions of controls and patients with DS and AD. In DS brain, β-SNAP was significantly reduced in temporal cortex (p < 0.01). SYT I (p65) and SYT I (pI 7.0) were significantly reduced in thalamus (p < 0.01 and p < 0.05, respectively). In AD brain, β-SNAP was significantly decreased in temporal cortex (p < 0.05). SYT I (p65) was significantly reduced in cerebellum (p < 0.05), and temporal (p < 0.001) and parietal cortex (p < 0.01). SYT I (pI 7.0) was significantly reduced in temporal (p < 0.001) and parietal cortex (p < 0.01) and thalamus (p < 0.01). γ-SNAP did not show any change in both DS and AD. The findings may explain impaired synaptogenesis in DS and AD brain, which is well documented in DS brain already early in life, and/or synaptosomal loss secondary to neuronal loss observed in both neurodegenerative disorders. It may also represent, reflect or account for the impaired neuronal transmission in DS and AD, caused by deterioration of the exocytic machinery. Here, we provide evidence for several deranged synaptosomal proteins in several brain regions at the protein level indicating deficient synaptosomal wiring of the brain in DS and AD.

Keywords:
Synaptosomal proteins, Synaptotagmin I, Down syndrome, Alzheimer’s disease, Brain
This content is only available via PDF.
© 2001 S. Karger AG, Basel
2001
Copyright / Drug Dosage / Disclaimer
Copyright: All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be translated into other languages, reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, microcopying, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.
Drug Dosage: The authors and the publisher have exerted every effort to ensure that drug selection and dosage set forth in this text are in accord with current recommendations and practice at the time of publication. However, in view of ongoing research, changes in government regulations, and the constant flow of information relating to drug therapy and drug reactions, the reader is urged to check the package insert for each drug for any changes in indications and dosage and for added warnings and precautions. This is particularly important when the recommended agent is a new and/or infrequently employed drug.
Disclaimer: The statements, opinions and data contained in this publication are solely those of the individual authors and contributors and not of the publishers and the editor(s). The appearance of advertisements or/and product references in the publication is not a warranty, endorsement, or approval of the products or services advertised or of their effectiveness, quality or safety. The publisher and the editor(s) disclaim responsibility for any injury to persons or property resulting from any ideas, methods, instructions or products referred to in the content or advertisements.
You do not currently have access to this content.