Nogo protein may control the progression of Alzheimer’s disease

Researchers in the Department of Neurosciences at The Cleveland Clinic Lerner Research Institute have found that Nogo, a protein known for its ability to regulate nerve regeneration, may control the progression of Alzheimer’s disease.

This research, led by Riqiang Yan, M.D., will be published in the September issue of Nature Medicine. The study appears Aug. 1 on the Nature Medicine website, www.nature.com/nm.

“These findings are significant because they identify a potential therapeutic target that may slow the progression of Alzheimer’s disease.” Dr. Yan said.

Alzheimer’s patients have an excessive accumulation of amyloid plaque in their brains. A small protein in this plaque, called beta amyloid, is widely considered a culprit for the disease. Beta amyloid is produced through the activity of an enzyme called beta-secretase, or BACE1. Dr. Yan is best known in the Alzheimer’s research community as the co-discover of BACE1.

Development of drugs that inhibit BACE1 has become a major focus in many large pharmaceutical companies because such drugs could reduce beta amyloid production and, in turn, slow the progression of Alzheimer’s disease.

In their current research, Dr. Yan and colleagues identified a molecule that interacts with BACE1 to decrease beta amyloid production. This molecule is called reticulon, or NOGO. The scientists now are seeking ways to increase this interaction and delay the progression of Alzheimer’s disease as effectively as possible.

“It has been a huge challenge to discover small-molecule drugs to inhibit BACE1 activity due to the molecular nature of this protein,” Dr. Yan said. “Purposely controlling the levels of reticulon in patients using small-molecule drugs may offer an alternative method to reduce beta amyloid production and Alzheimer’s progression.”

Dr. Yan joined the Lerner Research Institute about one year ago to continue his studies in BACE1 and this new discovery of reticulon proteins.