Epidermal growth factor receptor is a preferred target for treating Amyloid-β–induced memory loss

L Wang, HC Chiang, W Wu, B Liang… - Proceedings of the …, 2012 - National Acad Sciences
L Wang, HC Chiang, W Wu, B Liang, Z Xie, X Yao, W Ma, S Du, Y Zhong
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 2012National Acad Sciences
Current understanding of amyloid-β (Aβ) metabolism and toxicity provides an extensive list
of potential targets for developing drugs for treating Alzheimer's disease. We took two
independent approaches, including synaptic-plasticity–based analysis and behavioral
screening of synthetic compounds, for identifying single compounds that are capable of
rescuing the Aβ-induced memory loss in both transgenic fruit fly and transgenic mouse
models. Two clinically available drugs and three synthetic compounds not only showed …
Current understanding of amyloid-β (Aβ) metabolism and toxicity provides an extensive list of potential targets for developing drugs for treating Alzheimer’s disease. We took two independent approaches, including synaptic-plasticity–based analysis and behavioral screening of synthetic compounds, for identifying single compounds that are capable of rescuing the Aβ-induced memory loss in both transgenic fruit fly and transgenic mouse models. Two clinically available drugs and three synthetic compounds not only showed positive effects in behavioral tests but also antagonized the Aβ oligomers-induced activation of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). Such surprising converging outcomes from two parallel approaches lead us to conclude that EGFR is a preferred target for treating Aβ-induced memory loss.
National Acad Sciences