COULD VIRAL PROTEINS LEAD TO TREATMENTS FOR ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE?

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is being seen at higher rates than ever before. One pathology is the hyperphosphorylation of tau protein. In recent years, studies have found a correlation between herpesviruses and AD. This information has led to several studies testing the role of herpesviruses in Alzheimer’s pathology. Dr. Hanson’s lab found an initial decrease and later increase in tau hyperphosphorylation in murine cytomegalovirus-infected (MCMV) cells. My research seeks to understand the mechanism of the apparent decrease in hyperphosphorylation. I harvested uninfected and MCMV- infected B35 lysates at various times after infection with or without an inhibitor of viral replication. Through western blot, I have confirmed the presence of proteins by probing tubulin, presence of viral infection by probing E1, and inhibition of late gene expression by probing major capsid protein. I am currently looking at tau. We predict that the inhibitor will lead to lower than normal phosphorylation of tau. (Faculty Sponsor: Dr. Laura Hanson)