Pore-forming scissors? A first structural glimpse of gamma-secretase.
Amyloid plaques, which are composed of amyloid-beta peptide (Abeta), signify Alzheimer's disease pathology. Secretases generate Abeta by processing the beta-amyloid precursor protein. gamma-Secretase, a complex comprising four different proteins, liberates Abeta from its precursor by intramembrane proteolysis. The first impression of the shape of gamma-secretase has recently been revealed by electron microscopy. It indicates a spherical transmembrane particle with an interior chamber that, presumably, accommodates its catalytic residues, and two openings that might be exit sites for the cleavage products.
Steiner
Harald
H
Adolf-Butenandt-Institute, Department of Biochemistry, Laboratory for Alzheimer's and Parkinson's Disease Research, Ludwig-Maximilians University, Schillerstrasse 44, 80336 Munich, Germany. harald.steiner@med.uni-muenchen.de
Than
Manuel
M
Bode
Wolfram
W
Haass
Christian
C
D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000378:metabolism; D053829:Amyloid Precursor Protein Secretases / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D016229:Amyloid beta-Peptides / Q000378:metabolism; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000378:metabolism; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D008954:Models, Biological; D011487:Protein Conformation
D016229:Amyloid beta-Peptides; D053829:Amyloid Precursor Protein Secretases