A(beta) generation in autophagic vacuoles.
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia among older people. It is characterized by the extracellular accumulation of beta-amyloid (Abeta) deposits called senile or neuritic plaques. Abeta is generated by the proteolytic cleavage of Abeta precursor protein (APP) by beta and gamma-secretases localized in the secretory and endocytic compartments. In this issue, Yu et al. (on p. 87) report a novel mechanism for the generation of Abeta peptides, which takes place in autophagic vacuoles (AVs) that accumulate in AD brains.
Mizushima
Noboru
N
Department of Bioregulation and Metabolism, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Medical Science, Tokyo 113-8613, Japan. nmizu@rinshoken.or.jp
D016229:Amyloid beta-Peptides / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D016564:Amyloid beta-Protein Precursor / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D001343:Autophagy / Q000502:physiology*; D004721:Endoplasmic Reticulum / Q000737:chemistry; D006801:Humans; D008958:Models, Molecular; D010455:Peptides / Q000235:genetics; D014617:Vacuoles / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism*
D016229:Amyloid beta-Peptides; D016564:Amyloid beta-Protein Precursor; D010455:Peptides