Beta-secretase

Beta-secretase (BACE) is a transmembrane aspartic proteinase responsible for cleaving the amyloid precursor protein (APP) to generate the soluble ectodomain sAPPbeta and its C-terminal fragment CTFbeta. BACE is a major target of Alzheimer's disease (AD) therapeutics. There are two forms of the enzyme: BACE1 and BACE2.

Deposition of amyloid-β protein (Aβ) to form neuritic plaques is the characteristic neuropathology of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Aβ is generated from APP by β- and γ-secretase cleavages. BACE1 is the β-secretase and its inhibition induces severe side effects, whereas its homolog BACE2 normally suppresses Aβ by cleaving APP/Aβ at the θ-site (Phe20) within the Aβ domain.