Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, Chair of Metabolic Biochemistry
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Inhibition of amyloid beta-protein production in neural cells by the serine protease inhibitor AEBSF

Neuron 17(1): 171-9

Authors/Editors: Citron M
Diehl TS
Capell A
Haass C
Teplow DB
Selkoe DJ
Publication Date: 1996
Type of Publication: Journal Article
Cerebral deposition of amyloid beta protein (A beta) is an early and critical feature of Alzheimer's disease. A beta production requires the proteolytic release of A beta from the beta-amyloid precursor protein (beta APP). Thus, inhibition of A beta release is a prime therapeutic goal. Here, we show that the broad spectrum, irreversible serine protease inhibitor, AEBSF, inhibits the constitutive production of A beta in five different human cell lines, both neural and nonneural. AEBSF also stabilizes full-length beta APP and enhances alpha-secretion, as shown by an increase in the proteolytic derivative, alpha-APPS. Further, we demonstrate that the inhibitory effect of AEBSF is specific for A beta proteins starting at Aspartate 1, suggesting that AEBSF directly inhibits beta-secretase, the Methionine-Aspartate (Met-Asp)-cleaving enzyme. These results indicate that specific inhibition of this A beta-generating protease is possible in living human neural cells and provide information about the characteristics of this as yet unidentified enzyme.

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