05 Dec 2002

In the December 2 online Journal of Biological Chemistry, researchers extend to mice earlier in-vitro observations linking Aβ degradation to the activity of endothelin converting enzyme (ECE). This membrane-bound metalloproteinase, best known for activation of the vasoconstrictor endothelin, has been shown previously to hydrolyze synthetic Aβ, and the ECE inhibitor phosphoramidon increases Aβ secretion by cultured cells. Now, Chris Eckman and colleagues at the Mayo Clinic Jacksonville, Florida, have analyzed mouse knockouts of both ECE-1 and ECE-2 isoforms, which have yielded some interesting phenotypes.

In the simplest sense, the Aβ deposition seen in Alzheimer's disease could be caused by either overproduction of Aβ or a failure to adequately clear normally produced protein. The phenotype of the ECE knockout mice suggests the latter. Though mice heterozygous for the ECE-1 null mutation had only a 27 percent reduction in converting enzyme activity, this was accompanied by an increase in brain Aβ levels. While modest, i.e., increasing from 1.11 pmol/g to 1.34 pmol/g, it was statistically significant, and comparable to elevations seen in AD cases. In addition, the authors failed to detect any increase in levels of Aβ precursor protein (AβPP) or of the AβPP C-terminal fragments that are generated when Aβ is formed. Similar results were obtained from non-lethal homozygous ECE-2 knockout mice. The authors conclude that AβPP production and processing are normal in these animals, leaving poor degradation or clearance as the reason for the observed increase of Aβ.

This work adds to the growing literature supporting the idea that Aβ degradation may have gone awry in AD (see related news story). It also carries a cautionary note because, as the authors point out, ECE inhibitors are being studied as potential drugs for hypertension and other ailments, and any potential side effect of increasing Aβ levels may go undetected for years.—Tom Fagan