[Beta- and gamma-secretases]

Abstract

Deposition of amyloid beta peptides (Abeta) as amyloid deposits characterizes the brains of patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD). Mutations in presenilin genes linked to familial AD (FAD) have been shown to increase production of Abeta42, an initially and predominantly depositing Abeta species in all types of AD. PS has been shown to serve as the catalytic center for the gamma-secretase cleavage of a subset of single-pass membrane proteins including beta-amyloid precursor protein and Notch. gamma-Secretase inhibitors, including gamma42-selective inhibitors like NSAIDs, are emerging therapeutic agents for AD. Also, an establishment of a method to monitor the progression of AD using imaging and biochemical surrogate markers would be vital to the evaluation of the effects of disease-modifying drugs for AD. In this regard, a large-scale observation study, like the AD neuroimaging initiative (ADNI), should be conducted in Japan.