Expression of prostaglandin E synthase mRNA is induced in beta-amyloid treated rat astrocytes.

Deposition of beta-amyloid (A beta) in the brain is considered to be one of the most critical events in the onset of Alzheimer's disease (AD). In order to identify factors involved in the exacerbation of AD, we investigated transcriptionally A beta-induced genes using a cDNA subtraction technique in rat astrocytes. One gene obtained was rat prostaglandin (PG) E synthase. In this report, we present the deduced sequence for rat PGE synthase for the first time and demonstrate the induction of PGE synthase mRNA by treatment of cells with A beta. Our results suggest a possibly significant role of this enzyme in the progression of AD.