A scaffold protein JIP-1b enhances amyloid precursor protein phosphorylation by JNK and its association with kinesin light chain 1.

Amyloid precursor protein (APP) is the precursor molecule of beta-amyloid peptides, the major components of amyloid plaque in patients with Alzheimer's disease. In this study, we isolated JIP-1b, a JNK signaling scaffold protein, as a binding protein of APP, and analyzed the roles of JIP-1b in APP phosphorylation by JNK and the association of kinesin light chain 1 with APP. APP phosphorylation at threonine 668 by JNK was enhanced on the JIP-1b scaffold in vitro and in cultured cells exogenously expressing APP. APP phosphorylation in nerve growth factor-differentiated PC12 cells was mediated by activation of JNK signaling. JIP-1b also enhanced the association of kinesin light chain 1 with APP. Our results suggest that JIP-1b may function as a protein linking the kinesin-I motor protein to the cargo receptor, APP, and that the JNK signaling pathway may regulate the phosphorylation of this cargo protein through the JIP-1b scaffold.