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PubMed · 10533280

Amyloid beta.

R Cappai·A R White
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Abstract

Amyloid beta (A beta) is a 39-43 residue amyloidogenic peptide that is deposited into the extracellular amyloid plaques which characterize an Alzheimer's disease (AD) brain. A beta is derived from the amyloid precursor protein (APP) and undergoes a toxic conformational change (gain of toxic function). The length of the A beta peptide dramatically influences its properties with the longer 42 and 43 residue species being more amyloidogenic. The genetics of familial AD (FAD) supports a central role for A beta in AD since mutations in the FAD causing genes APP and the presenilins (PS1 and PS2) increase the formation of A beta 42,43. Considerable activity is directed towards A beta as a therapeutic target. These strategies aim to inhibit A beta synthesis, A beta fibril formation, its toxic actions on cells or promote its clearance from the brain.

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Alzheimer DiseaseAmino Acid SequenceAmyloid beta-PeptidesAnimalsHumansMolecular Sequence DataJournal ArticleReview

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R Cappai, A R White. 1999. Amyloid beta.. https://doi.org/10.1016/s1357-2725(99)00027-8

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