Protein kinase C-dependent alpha-secretory processing of the amyloid precursor protein is mediated by phosphorylation of myosin II-B.

A substantial body of evidence indicates that protein kinase C (PKC) is involved in the alpha-secretory processing of the amyloid precursor protein (APP), an event that reduces the formation of the pathogenic amyloid-beta peptide. Recently, we have shown that trafficking and processing of APP are both impaired by knockdown of myosin II-B, one of the major neuronal motor proteins. Here, we provide evidence that the alpha-secretory processing of APP is mediated by PKC-dependent phosphorylation of myosin II-B. This signaling pathway provides an important link between APP and the neuronal cytoskeleton and might be crucial for the understanding of the biological and pathological roles of APP.