Simultaneous Detection of Changes in Protein Expression and Oxidative Modification as a Function of Age and APOE Genotype

To better elucidate temporal changes in protein oxidation resulting from aging and the Alzheimer's disease-associated Apolipoprotein E (ApoE), we developed a 2D-DIGE-based method for simultaneously detecting differential expression and carbonyl oxidation of proteins. Specifically, we examined changes in the levels of oxidation and total protein expression in hippocampi from young-adult (25-30 weeks) and old (76-97 weeks) mice transgenic for the human Apolipoprotein E gene (APOE, APOE3, APOE4) isoforms, APOE3 or APOE4. Protein samples were labeled with either a fluorescent aminoox-yacetamide (Alexa Fluor 488) to detect carbonyl modifications or with NHS-Cy3 to detect total protein expression. A protein sample used as an internal control was labeled with NHS-Cy5 and run on each gel. DIGE analysis revealed 38 differentially oxidized and 100 differentially expressed protein spots with significantly different levels (P < 0.05). For oxidized proteins, principal component analysis revealed two distinct clusters: one in which oxidation increased with age independent of APOE genotype, and the second in which oxidation was dependent on APOE genotype. For total protein expression, principal component analysis revealed a large overlap between changes with overall aging and between APOE genotypes. The use of a fluorescent tag to label oxidized proteins, in combination with a NHS-Cy3 to label total protein, makes it possible to determine changes in both protein oxidation and protein expression levels in a single experiment. These studies reveal that the expression levels of peroxiredoxin protein family members Prdx2, 3, and 6 are modified by age, APOE genotype, or both.