title: Therapeutic targeting of the alpha-secretase pathway to treat Alzheimer's disease.
abstract: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive and degenerative disorder pathophysiologically characterized by the accumulation of beta-amyloid peptides (A-beta) in the brain. A-beta is indicated to be the primary agent in the pathogenesis of AD. A-beta is generated from the amyloid precursor protein (APP) via two proteolytic enzymes, beta- and gamma-secretases. Alpha-secretase conducts an alternative proteolytic cleavage that prevents A-beta production and accumulation. Elevating levels of alpha-secretase cleavage, therefore, is a potential therapeutic strategy to treat AD.
authors: Department of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
authors: Can
authors: C
authors: Zhang
authors: Aleister J
authors: AJ
authors: Saunders
mesh_terms: D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D053829:Amyloid Precursor Protein Secretases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D016229:Amyloid beta-Peptides / Q000378:metabolism; D016564:Amyloid beta-Protein Precursor / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D008954:Models, Biological; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D016229:Amyloid beta-Peptides; D016564:Amyloid beta-Protein Precursor; D053829:Amyloid Precursor Protein Secretases