Name of Fellow


James Duce

Institution


Funder


Alzheimer's Research UK

Contact information of fellow


Country


United Kingdom

Title of project/programme


Regulation of iron homeostasis by beta-amyloid precursor protein in health and disease.

Source of funding information


Alzheimer's Research UK

Total sum awarded (Euro)


€ 304,649

Start date of award


01/01/12

Total duration of award in years


4.0

The project/programme is most relevant to:


Alzheimer's disease & other dementias

Keywords


Amyloid | APP Signaling

Research Abstract


Iron is essential for the normal function of the body but when this metal is not guarded it can be converted to a potentially harmful product. The balance between disposing of and retaining iron is fundamental for keeping a healthy cell. The ageing brain and circulatory system are particularly vulnerable as are patients with a broad range of disorders, including Alzheimer’s and cardiovascular disease. The main role of a ‘ferroxidase’ is to convert any potentially harmful iron into a less hazardous form. ‘beta-amyloid precursor protein’ (APP), has a role in this iron balance. Of the 3 main APP forms, the smallest is a ‘ferroxidase’ whereas increasing the size varies its effectiveness. Proposed research will determine if the balance between APP form length, or other known changes, are able to alter iron content in health and disease models.

Prospective outcomes will strengthen our understanding on iron balance within the body and provide an explanation for increased iron accumulation in age-related diseases. There is currently no effective therapeutic for these diseases as current treatments only provide temporary alleviation. Increased understanding of the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying these diseases will lead to better drug design in the future.

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