Generation of the amyloid-beta peptide N terminus in Saccharomyces cerevisiae expressing human Alzheimer's amyloid-beta precursor protein. Academic Article uri icon

Overview

abstract

  • The Alzheimer's amyloid-beta precursor protein (betaAPP) is a type 1 membrane-spanning protein from which the Alzheimer's disease amyloid-beta peptide (Abeta) is proteolytically derived. To date, attempts to identify the enzymes responsible for Abeta generation have failed. Here we report the accumulation of Abeta-immunoreactive peptides in yeast expressing human betaAPP. Characterization of these peptides by metabolic labeling, immunoprecipitation with Abeta-specific antibodies, and N-terminal radiosequencing indicates that these peptides include the Abeta peptide at their N termini. The Abeta-like peptides generated in yeast were recovered predominantly as 8- and 12-14-kDa species. A 4-kDa species was recovered either when a protease-deficient strain was used to prevent breakdown or when the 8- and 12-14-kDa species were treated with disaggregating agents. The likely existence in yeast of enzymes generating the Abeta N terminus indicates that the molecular identification of yeast beta-secretase-like enzymes may be accomplished using genetic screens or empirical approaches based upon the sequenced genome of Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

publication date

  • November 26, 1999

Research

keywords

  • Amyloid beta-Peptides
  • Amyloid beta-Protein Precursor
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Identity

Scopus Document Identifier

  • 0033607754

PubMed ID

  • 10567340

Additional Document Info

volume

  • 274

issue

  • 48