ABCC9/SUR2 in the brain: Implications for hippocampal sclerosis of aging and a potential therapeutic target

Peter T. Nelson, Gregory A. Jicha, Wang Xia Wang, Eseosa Ighodaro, Sergey Artiushin, Colin G. Nichols, David W. Fardo

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

64 Scopus citations

Abstract

The ABCC9 gene and its polypeptide product, SUR2, are increasingly implicated in human neurologic disease, including prevalent diseases of the aged brain. SUR2 proteins are a component of the ATP-sensitive potassium ("KATP") channel, a metabolic sensor for stress and/or hypoxia that has been shown to change in aging. The KATP channel also helps regulate the neurovascular unit. Most brain cell types express SUR2, including neurons, astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, microglia, vascular smooth muscle, pericytes, and endothelial cells. Thus it is not surprising that ABCC9 gene variants are associated with risk for human brain diseases. For example, Cantu syndrome is a result of ABCC9 mutations; we discuss neurologic manifestations of this genetic syndrome. More common brain disorders linked to ABCC9 gene variants include hippocampal sclerosis of aging (HS-Aging), sleep disorders, and depression. HS-Aging is a prevalent neurological disease with pathologic features of both neurodegenerative (aberrant TDP-43) and cerebrovascular (arteriolosclerosis) disease. As to potential therapeutic intervention, the human pharmacopeia features both SUR2 agonists and antagonists, so ABCC9/SUR2 may provide a "druggable target", relevant perhaps to both HS-Aging and Alzheimer's disease. We conclude that more work is required to better understand the roles of ABCC9/SUR2 in the human brain during health and disease conditions.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)111-125
Number of pages15
JournalAgeing Research Reviews
Volume24
DOIs
StatePublished - Nov 1 2015

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2015 Elsevier B.V.

Keywords

  • ABCC8
  • Arteriolosclerosis
  • GWAS
  • Hippocampus
  • Neuropathology
  • Oldest-old
  • SUR1
  • SUR2A
  • SUR2Ab
  • SUR2B

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Biotechnology
  • Biochemistry
  • Aging
  • Molecular Biology
  • Neurology

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