Microarray analysis in a transgenic worm strain that accurately expresses a temperature-inducible Aβ42 in
body wall muscle, reveals that the gene encoding the arsenite-inducible protein (aip-1) is up-regulated as part of a cellular protective response. Worms overexpressing AIP-1 show decreased accumulation of Aβ42 peptide and attenuated paralysis.The AIP-1 human homologue,AIRAPL, but notAIRAP when expressed under the control of myo3 promoter also confers protection against Aβ toxicity [18]. Both AIP-1 and AIRAPL contain a predicted farnesylation site known to be critical for the AIP-1-mediated longevity in C. elegans [19].AIP-1 and AIRAPL enhance at least partially general protein turnover by acting as positive regulators of proteosomal function, and thus protect against Aβ induced toxicity [18].The effects of tetracycline and its analogues doxycycline and minocycline on Aβ42induced toxicity were assayed [20] using the worms expressing a temperature-inducible Aβ1–42 transgene [21]. Tetracyclines successfully protected worms from the Aβ insult by reducing the concentration of oligomers considered to be responsible for the toxic phenotype. These effects
were specific, dose-dependent and not linked to any antibiotic activity. Furthermore, tetracyclines protect Aβ-expressing nematodes from oxidative stress by reducing the superoxide production, suggesting a potential use of these drugs in targeting Aβ aggregates.