SDS-stable complex formation between native apolipoprotein E3 and β-amyloid peptides

Extracellular senile plaques composed predominantly of fibrillar amyloid-β (Aβ) are a major neuropathological feature of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Genetic evidence and in vivo studies suggest that apolipoprotein E (apoE) may contribute to amyloid clearance and/or deposition. In vitro studies demonstrate that native apoE2 and E3 form an SDS-stable complex with Aβ(1-40), while apoE4 forms little such complex. Our current work extends these observations by presenting evidence that apoE3 also binds to Aβ(1-42) and with less avidity to modified species of the peptide found in senile plaque cores. These modified peptides include a form that originates at residue 3-Glu as pyroglutamyl and another with isomerization at the 1-Asp and 7-Asp positions. In addition, we used binding reactions between apoE3 and various Aβ fragments, as well as binding reactions with apoE3 and Aβ(1-40) plus Aβ fragments as competitors, to identify the domain(s) of Aβ involved in the formation of an SDS-stable complex with apoE3. Residues 13-28 of Aβ appear to be necessary, while complex formation is further enhanced by the presence of residues at the C-terminus of the peptide. These results contribute to our understanding of the biochemical basis for the SDS-stable apoE3/Aβ complex and support the hypothesis that Aft can be transported in vivo complexed with apoE. This complex may then be cleared from the interstitial space by apoE receptors in the brain or become part of an extracellular amyloid deposit.