New Pathway Maps Available

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a chronic neurodegenerative disorder that progressively worsens and disables cognitive ability. Amyloid precursor protein (APP), presenilin 1 (PS1), presenilin 2 (PS2), and apolipoprotein (ApoE) are associated with autosomal dominant or familial early onset AD (FAD).

When APP is produced, it is channeled through non-amyloidogenic or amyloidogenic pathways. Amyloid beta fibrils form a major component of senile plaques. They are known to trigger membrane lipid peroxidation and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production.

Embryonic stem cells (ESCs) possess the special abilities for unlimited self-renewal and pluripotency. These properties are regulated by Nanog, Oct4, SOX2, and several other transcriptional factors. The Nanog protein is composed of 3 domains - the N-terminal, the homeodomain, and the C-terminal. Nanog expression only occurs in pluripotent cells where it promotes self-renewal after Oct4 and SOX2 bind to the Nanog promoter.

Nanog is also regulated by multiple pathways and pluripotent factors, such as FoxD3, the LIF/STAT pathway, WNT pathway, BMP pathway, PI3K/Akt pathway, and GRB2/SOS/Ras/ERK pathway. The exact mechanism of Nanog regulation and function is not fully understood yet.