The role of presenilin and its interacting proteins in the biogenesis of Alzheimer's beta amyloid.

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

4-1-2007

Comments

This article has been peer reviewed. It was published in: Neurochemical Research.

Volume 32, Issue 4-5, April 2007, Pages 609-623.

The published version is available at DOI: 10.1007/s11064-006-9131-x. Copyright © Springer

Abstract

The biogenesis and accumulation of the beta amyloid protein (Abeta) is a key event in the cascade of oxidative and inflammatory processes that characterises Alzheimer's disease. The presenilins and its interacting proteins play a pivotal role in the generation of Abeta from the amyloid precursor protein (APP). In particular, three proteins (nicastrin, aph-1 and pen-2) interact with presenilins to form a large multi-subunit enzymatic complex (gamma-secretase) that cleaves APP to generate Abeta. Reconstitution studies in yeast and insect cells have provided strong evidence that these four proteins are the major components of the gamma-secretase enzyme. Current research is directed at elucidating the roles that each of these protein play in the function of this enzyme. In addition, a number of presenilin interacting proteins that are not components of gamma-secretase play important roles in modulating Abeta production. This review will discuss the components of the gamma-secretase complex and the role of presenilin interacting proteins on gamma-secretase activity.

PubMed ID

16944319

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