Louis B. Hersh Pages 449 - 454 ( 6 )
The formation of senile plaques containing amyloid β peptides (Aβ peptides) as a major constituent plays a significant role in development of Alzheimers disease. The concentration of Aβ peptides in the brain is determined by a combination of their rate of synthesis and their rate of clearance. Considerable effort has been expended in producing inhibitors of the β and γ secretases involved in the synthesis of the Aβ peptides. More recently interest in the mechanism of clearance of the Aβ peptides has emerged, as promoting Aβ peptide clearance represents an alternative therapeutic approach. It now appears that cleavage of Aβ peptide by peptidases and proteases represents the major mechanism of clearance. This review describes those peptidases and proteases implicated in Aβ peptide clearance, the evidence that these enzymes function in vivo, and how they may represent new therapeutic targets.
amyloid beta-peptide,ab,a betapeptides,b secretase,r secretase
Department of Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry, University of Kentucky, College of Medicine, 800Rose St., Lexington, KY 40536-0298, USA