Regulation of axonal anterograde transport and metabolism for APP in neuron

Toshiharu Suzuki, Kyoko Chiba, Yuzuha Shiraki, Saori Hata

Laboratory of Neuroscience, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hokkaido University

Amyloid β-protein precursor (APP) functions as cargo receptor to kinesin-1 motor, and APP is subject to anterograde transport in neuronal axon. The regulatory mechanism of APP transport is closely related to APP metabolism. Abnormalities in the axonal transport system induce the increased production of Aβ along with axonal defects. APP is associated to kinesin-1 by mediation of JIP1b, and this interaction performs a high quality transport of APP while the quality is remarkably impaired in the absence of JIP1b. Enhanced fast-velocity and efficient high-frequency APP anterograde transport plays an important role in the prevention of Aβ generation and neurodegeneration.

Address correspondence to Dr. Toshiharu Suzuki, Laboratory of Neuroscience, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Hokkaido University (Kita12-Nishi6, Kita-ku, Sapporo 060-0812, Japan)