A Portrait of Alzheimer Secretases-New Features and Familiar Faces
Abstract
The amyloid β-peptide (Aβ) is a principal component of the cerebral plaques found in the brains of patients with Alzeheimer's disease (AD). This insoluble 40- to 42-amino acid peptide is formed by the cleavage of the Aβ precursor protein (APP). The three proteases that cleave APP, α-, β-, and γ-secretases, have been implicated in the etiology of AD. β-Secretase is a membrane-anchored protein with clear homology to soluble aspartyl proteases, and α-secretase displays characteristics of certain membrane-tethered metalloproteases. γ-Secretase is apparently an oligomeric complex that includes the presenilins, which may be the catalytic component of this protease. Identification of the α-, β-, and γ-secretases provides potential targets for designing new drugs to treat AD.
- Publication:
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Science
- Pub Date:
- August 2001
- DOI:
- 10.1126/science.1064638
- Bibcode:
- 2001Sci...293.1449E
- Keywords:
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- MEDICINE