Key Ubiquilin Study Findings
The ubiquilin gene (UBQLN1), which encodes the ubiquilin-1 protein, has been genetically linked to late-onset Alzheimer's.
Ubiquilin-1 protein levels are significantly decreased in the brains of late-onset Alzheimer's patients.
Diminished ubiquilin function may be a common denominator in AD progression.
Ubiquilin's interaction with amyloid precursor protein (APP) shows characteristics of a chaperone-client relationship, in which ubiquilin interacts transiently with APP to prevent irreversible aggregation and processing of APP that could lead to amyloid plaque formation.