Phosphorylated Presenilin 1 decreases {beta}-amyloid by facilitating autophagosome-lysosome fusion [Neuroscience]

Presenilin 1 (PS1), the catalytic subunit of the γ-secretase complex, cleaves βCTF to produce Aβ. We have shown that PS1 regulates Aβ levels by a unique bifunctional mechanism. In addition to its known role as the catalytic subunit of the γ-secretase complex, selective phosphorylation of PS1 on Ser367 decreases Aβ levels by increasing βCTF degradation through autophagy. Here, we report the molecular mechanism by which PS1 modulates βCTF degradation. We show that PS1 phosphorylated at Ser367, but not nonphosphorylated PS1, interacts with Annexin A2, which, in turn, interacts with the lysosomal N-ethylmaleimide–sensitive factor attachment protein receptor (SNARE) Vamp8. Annexin A2 facilitates the binding of Vamp8 to the autophagosomal SNARE Syntaxin 17 to modulate the fusion of autophagosomes with lysosomes. Thus, PS1 phosphorylated at Ser367 has an antiamyloidogenic function, promoting autophagosome–lysosome fusion and increasing βCTF degradation. Drugs designed to increase the level of PS1 phosphorylated at Ser367 should be useful in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease.