Regulation of amyloid precursor protein expression and secretion via activation of ERK1/2 by hepatocyte growth factor in HEK293 cells transfected with APP751.

The increased intracellular levels and aberrant processing of the amyloid precursor protein (APP) are associated with beta-amyloid peptide (A beta) production, cerebrovascular amyloid deposition, and amyloid plaque formation. Here we report that APP level, soluble APP (sAPP) secretion, and A beta production in HEK293 cells transfected with either wild-type APP(751) or APP(751) carrying the Swedish mutation are all elevated by hepatocyte growth factor (HGF). We investigated the potential molecular mechanisms underlying the HGF effect. Our data show that HGF stimulated extended activation of extracellular signal-regulated protein kinases (ERK1/2). Pretreatment of cells with inhibitors (UO126 or PD98059) for MEK, the upstream kinase of ERK1/2, abolished ERK1/2 activation evoked by HGF, and abrogated HGF-induced increases in APP levels and sAPP secretion. In addition, transient expression of active MEK1 activated ERK1/2 and increased intracellular APP levels and sAPP secretion. Inhibition of ERK1/2 activity, however, failed to block HGF-stimulated A beta production. Consistently, transient expression of active MEK1 did not increase A beta accumulation. Taken together, these results suggest that: (1) HGF regulates the intracellular levels of APP and the secretion of sAPP and A beta; (2) the modulation of APP levels and sAPP secretion induced by HGF is mediated via the MEK1/ERK1/2 signaling pathway; (3) HGF-stimulated A beta production is independent of ERK activity and, therefore, independent of HGF-evoked elevation of intracellular APP levels.