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The amyloid precursor protein is concentrated in neuronal lysosomes in normal and Alzheimer disease subjects
Benowitz LI, Rodriguez W, Paskevich P, Mufson EJ, Schenk D, Neve RL.. Experimental neurology, 1989-12-01
Topic: Amyloid, tau and blood-test diagnosis
The 4.2-kilodalton (kDa) polypeptide associated with the cerebral amyloid deposits of Alzheimer's disease (AD) derives from a much larger protein that is encoded by a gene on chromosome 21. In the present study, we have used antibodies raised against portions of the amyloid protein precursor (APP) to map its normal distribution and to gain further insights into the events that lead to amyloid deposition. Antibodies raised against several different portions of APP reacted with proteins having apparent molecular sizes of 65, 67, and 132 kDa on Western blots.
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APA 7th
Benowitz, L. I., Rodriguez, W., Paskevich, P., Mufson, E. J., Schenk, D., & Neve, R. L. (1989). The amyloid precursor protein is concentrated in neuronal lysosomes in normal and Alzheimer disease subjects. Experimental neurology. https://doi.org/10.1016/0014-4886(89)90156-8
Vancouver
Benowitz LI, Rodriguez W, Paskevich P, Mufson EJ, Schenk D, Neve RL. The amyloid precursor protein is concentrated in neuronal lysosomes in normal and Alzheimer disease subjects. Experimental neurology. 1989. doi:10.1016/0014-4886(89)90156-8. PMID: 2591522.
BibTeX
@article{benowitz1989-2591522,
author = {Benowitz, L. I. and Rodriguez, W. and Paskevich, P. and Mufson, E. J. and Schenk, D. and Neve, R. L.},
title = {{The amyloid precursor protein is concentrated in neuronal lysosomes in normal and Alzheimer disease subjects}},
journal = {Experimental neurology},
year = {1989},
doi = {10.1016/0014-4886(89)90156-8},
pmid = {2591522},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1016/0014-4886(89)90156-8}
}
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Key findings
- In the present study, we have used antibodies raised against portions of the amyloid protein precursor (APP) to map its normal distribution and to gain further insights into the events that lead to amyloid deposition.
- Antibodies raised against several different portions of APP reacted with proteins having apparent molecular sizes of 65, 67, and 132 kDa on Western blots.
- In sections through the normal human brain, immunocytochemistry revealed punctate concentrations of the protein in pyramidal cells of the neocortex, particularly in associative regions, and intense staining in the CA1 pyramidal cells of the hippocampus.
- By electron microscopy, this punctate distribution coincided with dense concentrations of the protein in secondary lysosomes.
Why it matters
This study used antibodies to map where the amyloid precursor protein is found in normal and Alzheimer's brain tissue, finding it concentrated in neuronal lysosomes. It is descriptive mapping work and does not test any treatment or show how to prevent the disease.
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Study details
- Evidence strengthLow
How this study scored 46/100
Published in a peer-reviewed journal. Scored zero for study design, sample size, effect reported, studied in people and randomised / blinded because the record does not state it.
| Component | Points | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Journal tier | 7 / 10 | Tier 3 — peer-reviewed journal (Experimental neurology) |
| Journal's citation record | 3 / 4 | Experimental Neurology: journal h-index 271 (OpenAlex, 2026-10-29) |
| Study design | 0 / 12 | No study design recorded — scores zero, not guessed (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Strength of evidence | 1 / 5 | Rated “low” in our summary |
| Peer-review validation | 10 / 10 | Peer-reviewed. Published as an article in a named peer-reviewed journal. |
| How recent | 1 / 5 | 1989 — older than 20 years, still counted |
| Sample size | 0 / 4 | Participant count not stated — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Effect reported | 0 / 3 | No effect size reported — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Studied in people | 0 / 3 | Not stated whether this was studied in people — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Randomised / blinded | 0 / 2 | No randomisation or blinding stated — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Times cited | 5 / 7 | Cited 142 times (OpenAlex, 2026-10-10) |
| Citations per year | 2 / 5 | 3.6 citations a year over 39 year(s) since 1989 |
| Impact for its field and year | 4 / 6 | Cited 11.8× the average for papers of its field and year (OpenAlex FWCI) |
| Cited by studies here | 3 / 6 | Cited by 11 other studies in this library |
| Still being cited | 0 / 4 | Cited 0 times in 2024–2026 (2026 still in progress; OpenAlex) |
| Senior author's track record | 4 / 4 | Last-listed author Rachael L. Neve: h-index 124 (OpenAlex, whole career) |
| Institution's track record | 3 / 3 | Harvard University: institution h-index 3,235 (OpenAlex) |
| Multi-centre collaboration | 1 / 3 | OpenAlex lists 3 institution(s) in 1 country |
| Indexed in PubMed | 2 / 2 | Indexed in PubMed (PMID 2591522) |
| Free to read | 0 / 2 | Behind a paywall — scores zero |
| Total | 46 / 100 | — |
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