ArticleAlzheimer's research & therapy2025
AP2A1 activates Rab7 to promote axonal autophagosome transport and slow the progression of Alzheimer's disease.
Article in Alzheimer's research & therapy, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 3 papers.
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3 citing papers in PubMed.
- Rapamycin Reduces Amyloid-β Plaques and Improves Behavioral Performance in a Sex-Dependent Manner in Mouse Models of Amyloidosis.CNS neuroscience & therapeutics · 2026Article
- The endo-lysosomal-lipid axis: bidirectional interactions between membrane trafficking dysfunction and lipid metabolic disorders.Frontiers in cell and developmental biology · 2026Review
- Targeting Liquid-Liquid Phase Separation and Autophagy in Alzheimer's Disease: Insights into Molecular Mechanisms and Therapeutic Potential.Neurochemical research · 2025Review
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10 authors.
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Abstract
backgroundDysregulation retrograde axonal transport in neurons results in autophagosome accumulation, enhancing amyloid β (Aβ) production and accelerating Alzheimer’s disease (AD) progression. Ras-associated GTP-binding protein 7 (Rab7) is pivotal in autophagosome maturation and their fusion with lysosomes, as well as in bidirectional axonal transport through interactions with partner proteins. Recent studies suggest that adapter-associated protein complex 2 subunit α1 (AP2A1) modulates retrograde axonal autophagosomes transport, regulates autophagy, and influences AD progression. However, the interplay between AP2A1 and Rab7, along with the molecular mechanisms underlying their impact on neuronal autophagy in AD, remains poorly understood.
methodsWe employed N2a/APPswe cells, primary hippocampal neurons exposed to Aβ oligomers, and APP/PS1 transgenic mice as AD models. To assess the impact of AP2A1 on Rab7 activity and autophagy, we conducted Rab7 pulldown activation assay, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), western blot and immunofluorescence (IF) staining were performed. The interaction between AP2A1 and Rab7 was examined by co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP), IF staining and molecular docking. Live-cell imaging was utilized to monitor autophagosome axonal transport in primary hippocampal neurons. Aβ levels were quantified through immunohistochemistry and ELISA. Behavioral alterations in mice were evaluated using the Morris water maze, open field test, object recognition test and Y-maze.
resultsWe observed reduced levels of AP2A1 and Rab7-GTP, accompanied by autophagosome accumulation, in AD models. Overexpression of AP2A1 restored autophagic flux in these cells. AP2A1 was found to bind and activate Rab7, facilitating the recruitment of retrograde axonal transport proteins DIC1 and RILP. Additionally, AP2A1 overexpression enhanced retrograde axonal autophagosome transport, reinstated autophagic flux, provided neuroprotection, and improved behavioral deficits in AD model mice through Rab7 activation.
conclusionsOur findings demonstrate that AP2A1 activates Rab7 to restore autophagic function and mitigate AD progression, providing novel therapeutic perspectives for autophagy-targeted interventions in AD.
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