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Current Alzheimer Research

Editor-in-Chief

ISSN (Print): 1567-2050
ISSN (Online): 1875-5828

Assembly, Maturation, and Trafficking of the γ-Secretase Complex in Alzheimers Disease

Author(s): Daniel R. Dries and Gang Yu

Volume 5, Issue 2, 2008

Page: [132 - 146] Pages: 15

DOI: 10.2174/156720508783954695

Price: $65

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Abstract

In this review, we discuss the biology of γ-secretase, an enigmatic enzyme complex that is responsible for the generation of the amyloid-β peptide that constitutes the amyloid plaques of Alzheimers disease. We begin with a brief review on the processing of the amyloid precursor protein and a brief discussion on the family of enzymes involved in regulated intramembrane proteolysis, of which γ-secretase is a member. We then identify the four major components of the γ- secretase complex – presenilin, nicastrin, Aph-1, and Pen-2 – with a focus on the identification of each and the role that each plays in the maturation and activity of the complex. We also discuss two new proteins that may play a role in modulating the assembly and activity of the γ-secretase complex. Next, we summarize the known subcellular locations of each γ-secretase component and the sites of γ-secretase activity, as defined by the production of Aβ. Finally, we close by synthesizing all of the included topics into an overarching model for the assembly and trafficking of the γ-secretase complex, which serves as a launching point for further questions into the biology and function of γ-secretase in Alzheimers disease.

Keywords: Alzheimer's disease, amyloid precursor protein, Aph-1, γ-secretase, nicastrin, Pen-2, presenilin, protease


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