Compared with other organs, the brain is highly enriched in cholesterol. Essentially all cholesterol in the brain is synthesized within the brain; the blood–brain barrier prevents the import of plasma lipoproteins into the brain. Consequently, the brain operates an independent lipoprotein transport system in which glial cells produce ApoE (apolipoprotein E)-containing lipoproteins that are thought to deliver cholesterol to neurons for axonal growth and repair. We have shown that ApoE-containing lipoproteins generated by glial cells stimulate axon extension. ApoE associated with lipoprotein particles, and a receptor of the low-density lipoprotein receptor family, are required for stimulation of axon growth. NPC (Niemann–Pick type C) disease is a severe neurological disorder caused by mutations in the NPC1 or NPC2 gene. A hallmark of this disease is impaired transport of cholesterol out of late endosomes/lysosomes and the accumulation of cholesterol in these organelles. Although cholesterol accumulates in cell bodies of neurons from NPC1-deficient mice, the cholesterol content of axons is reduced. The presence of NPC1 in endosomal structures in nerve terminals, and the finding of aberrant synaptic vesicles, suggest that defects in synaptic vesicle recycling contribute to neurological abnormalities characteristic of NPC disease. We have also shown that ApoE-containing lipoproteins produced by glial cells from NCP1-deficient mice are of normal composition and stimulate axon extension.
Skip Nav Destination
Article navigation
June 2006
-
Cover Image
Cover Image
- PDF Icon PDF LinkFront Matter
- PDF Icon PDF LinkTable of Contents
Conference Article|
May 22 2006
Lipid dynamics in neurons
J.E. Vance;
J.E. Vance
1
1Canadian Institutes for Health Research Group on the Molecular and Cell Biology of Lipids, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada T6G 2S2, and Department of Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada T6G 2S2
1To whom correspondence should be addressed (email jean.vance@ualberta.ca).
Search for other works by this author on:
B. Karten;
B. Karten
1Canadian Institutes for Health Research Group on the Molecular and Cell Biology of Lipids, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada T6G 2S2, and Department of Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada T6G 2S2
Search for other works by this author on:
H. Hayashi
H. Hayashi
1Canadian Institutes for Health Research Group on the Molecular and Cell Biology of Lipids, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada T6G 2S2, and Department of Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada T6G 2S2
Search for other works by this author on:
Publisher: Portland Press Ltd
Received:
December 08 2005
Online ISSN: 1470-8752
Print ISSN: 0300-5127
© 2006 The Biochemical Society
2006
Biochem Soc Trans (2006) 34 (3): 399–403.
Article history
Received:
December 08 2005
Citation
J.E. Vance, B. Karten, H. Hayashi; Lipid dynamics in neurons. Biochem Soc Trans 1 June 2006; 34 (3): 399–403. doi: https://doi.org/10.1042/BST0340399
Download citation file:
Sign in
Don't already have an account? Register
Sign in to your personal account
You could not be signed in. Please check your email address / username and password and try again.
Could not validate captcha. Please try again.