The amyloid precursor protein of Alzheimer's disease and the Abeta peptide

Alzheimer's disease is characterized by the accumulation of beta amyloid peptides in plaques and vessel walls and by the intraneuronal accumulation of paired helical filaments composed of hyperphosphorylated tau. In this review, we concentrate on the biology of amyloid precursor protein, and on the central role of amyloid in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease. Amyloid precursor protein (APP) is part of a super-family of transmembrane and secreted proteins. It appears to have a number of roles, including regulation of haemostasis and mediation of neuroprotection. APP also has potentially important metal and heparin-binding properties, and the current challenge is to synthesize all these varied activities into a coherent view of its function. Cleavage of amyloid precursor protein by beta-and gamma-secretases results in the generation of the Abeta (betaA4) peptide, whereas alpha-secretase cleaves within the Abeta sequence and prevents formation from APP. Recent findings indicate that the site of gamma-secretase cleavage is critical to the development of amyloid deposits; Abeta1-42 is much more amyloidogenic than Abeta1-40. Abeta1-42 formation is favoured by mutations in the two presenilin genes (PS1 and PS2), and by the commonest amyloid precursor protein mutations. Transgenic mouse models of Alzheimer's disease incorporating various mutations in the presenilin gene now exist, and have shown amyloid accumulation and cognitive impairment. Neurofibrillary tangles have not been reproduced in these models, however. While aggregated Abeta is neurotoxic, perhaps via an oxidative mechanism, the relationship between such toxicity and neurofibrillary tangle formation remains a subject of ongoing research.