How Amyloid Beta Resistant Cells Survive: The Warburg Effect
Author Information
Author(s): Jordan T. Newington, Andrea Pitts, Andrew Chien, Robert Arseneault, David Schubert, Robert Cumming
Primary Institution: The University of Western Ontario
Hypothesis
The study investigates whether the Warburg effect contributes to the resistance of nerve cell lines to amyloid beta toxicity.
Conclusion
The Warburg effect may help nerve cells survive against amyloid beta toxicity by increasing glycolysis and reducing mitochondrial activity.
Supporting Evidence
- Aβ resistant nerve cell lines showed elevated PDK1 expression and increased lactate production compared to control cells.
- Chemical or genetic inhibition of LDHA or PDK1 re-sensitized resistant cells to Aβ toxicity.
- Decreased mitochondrial-derived reactive oxygen species were observed in resistant cells.
Takeaway
Some brain cells can survive damage from a harmful protein called amyloid beta by changing how they use energy, similar to how cancer cells do.
Methodology
The study used clonal nerve cell lines to assess the effects of amyloid beta on glycolytic enzyme activity and mitochondrial function.
Limitations
The physiological relevance of the findings in an in vivo Alzheimer's disease model remains unknown.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.01
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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