Naturally Occurring Protein Fragment Implicated in Alzheimer’s Disease

In a study recently published in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, researchers found a natural protein fragment produced in the brain that can act as an inhibitor of a key enzyme implicated in the onset of Alzheimer’s disease, a finding that could lead to the development of new drug treatments for the disease. The study found that the protein fragment, sAPPα, inhibits the proteolytic enzyme called BACE1. Increased BACE1 activity contributes to production of the amyloid beta aggregates and plaques that are the hallmark of Alzheimer’ disease. During the study, the research team employed a technique called small-angle X-ray scattering, or SAXS, and found that the sAPPα inhibition of BACE1 activity is likely due to the unique, three-dimensional structure of the protein fragment itself. Going forward, researchers will determine the binding site of sAPPa to BACE1 using X-ray crystallography and other techniques. “Our study suggests that developing sAPPα itself as a biologic, finding a smaller protein or peptide fragment that has similar effects, or identifying a chemical compound that increases levels of this beneficial protein fragment could be new and effective therapeutic strategies for mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer’s patients,” said the lead researcher of the study. To read more about this study, click here.