Fig. 2

VPS10p-D receptors – their structure, and genetic and transcriptional relations to AD. The VPS10-D receptors are produced as proforms containing a propeptide which is cleaved by Furin. Except for SorLA, the receptors exhibit similar structure, mostly differing in the sequence of their intracellular cytoplasmic tails. SorLA can dimerize at neutral pH while Sortilin forms dimers only at acidic pH, for example in lysosomes. SorCS1-3 are paralogs that tend to form stable homodimers. All the receptors have been genetically linked to AD. Independently from the genetic background, AD patients display changes in the receptors’ expression levels within the brain parenchyma. These are predominantly diminished, and likely contribute to the disease progression such as decreased neuroprotection