Alzheimer's disease (AD) is initiated by the formation of extracellular amyloid-B (AB) neurotoxin. Our laboratory uses neurotrophic factor (NTF) mimetics to increase neuronal survival in the presence of AB. This project investigated the potential role of cathepsin-D in AB-induced cell death, and found through fluorescence substrate assay that cathepsin-D activity increases in AB-treated human neuronal cells. We also found that NTF treatment can increase the cellular levels of therapeutic anti-oxidative superoxide dismutase in the brains of AD mice.

• This report represents the work of one or more WPI undergraduate students submitted to the faculty as evidence of completion of a degree requirement. WPI routinely publishes these reports on its website without editorial or peer review.

Creator

• Lobdell, Gregory Marshall
• Donahue, Melanie K.

Publisher

• Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Identifier

• E-project-042711-234420

Advisor

• Adams, David S.

Year

• 2011

Date created

• 2011-04-27

Resource type

• Major Qualifying Project

Major

• Biochemistry
• Biology & Biotechnology

Rights statement

• In Copyright