Alzheimer's disease

Prostate specific membrane antigen (PSMA), also known as Glutamate carboxypeptidase II (GCPII), is a type II transmembrane glycoprotein that belongs to the M28 peptidase family. It acts as a glutamate carboxypeptidase on different substrates such as folate as well as the neuropeptide N-acetyl-l-aspartyl-l-glutamate. PSMA is expressed in a number of tissues including prostate, kidney, and both the central and peripheral nervous systems.

The protein CD11b has been implicated in the various adhesion-related interactions of cells such as monocytes, macrophages, natural killer (NK) cells, and granulocytes. It is part of a heterodimer that consists of CD11b and CD18. It also modulates the uptake of complement-coated particles within the cell. It is commonly used as a microglial marker in tissues derived from the nervous system.

Alzheimer's disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that impacts cognitive function. Research is currently being done to understand different genetic, environmental and biological factors which contribute to the disease to find a cure. Learn more in our infographic about Alzheimer's disease below.

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Autophagy is a conserved mechanism whereby cells form double membrane autophagosomes to sequester cytoplasmic components for subsequent destruction by fusion with lysosomes (eukaryotes) or vacuoles (yeast). Targets of autophagy include aging proteins, damaged organelles and invasive pathogens, and the resulting breakdown products can be recycled back to the cytoplasm for re-use under conditions of starvation (1).

By Eric Neeley

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is known to be important for neuronal differentiation, survival, migration and plasticity in both the developing embryo and adult synapses. The BDNF antibody is also proving to be an important tool in Alzheimer's disease (AD) research.