Humanin and Alzheimer's disease: The beginning of a new field

• Published in: Biochimica et biophysica acta. General subjects Vol. 1866; no. 1; p. 130024
• Main Author: Niikura, Takako
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier B.V 01.01.2022
• Subjects: Alzheimer disease; Alzheimer Disease - genetics; Alzheimer Disease - metabolism; Alzheimer's disease; amyloid; Amyloid β; Apoptosis - physiology; brain; Brain - metabolism; cell death; Cell Death - physiology; death; genes; Humanin; Humans; Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins - genetics; Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins - metabolism; Mitochondrial-derived peptide (MDP); neurons; Neuroprotection; pathogenesis; patients; Peptide; peptides; Peptides - genetics; Peptides - metabolism; Neuroprotection; Mitochondrial-derived peptide (MDP); Alzheimer's disease; Peptide; Amyloid β; Humanin
• ISSN: 0304-4165; 1872-8006; 1872-8006
• DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagen.2021.130024

Humanin (HN) is an endogenous peptide factor and known as a member of mitochondrial-derived peptides. We first found the gene encoding this novel 24-residue peptide in a brain of an Alzheimer's disease (AD) patient as an antagonizing factor against neuronal cell death induced by AD-associated insults. This review presents an overview of HN actions in AD-related conditions among its wide range of action spectrum as well as a brief history of the discovery. HN exhibits multiple intracellular and extracellular anti-cell death actions and antagonizes various AD-associated pathomechanisms including amyloid plaque accumulation. This review concisely reflects accumulated knowledge on HN since the discovery focusing on its functions related to AD pathogenesis and provides a perspective to its potential contribution in AD treatments. •Humanin is an endogenous cytoprotective peptide factor.•Humanin antagonizes various Alzheimer’s disease-associated pathomechanisms.•Humanin exhibits intracellular and extracellular anti-cell death actions.