Gamma-secretase is a membrane protein complex comprised of presenilin, nicastrin, Aph-1, and Pen-2

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2003 May 27;100(11):6382-7. doi: 10.1073/pnas.1037392100. Epub 2003 May 9.

Abstract

gamma-Secretase catalyzes the intramembrane proteolysis of Notch, beta-amyloid precursor protein, and other substrates as part of a new signaling paradigm and as a key step in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease. This unusual protease has eluded identification, though evidence suggests that the presenilin heterodimer comprises the catalytic site and that a highly glycosylated form of nicastrin associates with it. The formation of presenilin heterodimers from the holoprotein is tightly gated by unknown limiting cellular factors. Here we show that Aph-1 and Pen-2, two recently identified membrane proteins genetically linked to gamma-secretase, associate directly with presenilin and nicastrin in the active protease complex. Coexpression of all four proteins leads to marked increases in presenilin heterodimers, full glycosylation of nicastrin, and enhanced gamma-secretase activity. These findings suggest that the four membrane proteins comprise the limiting components of gamma-secretase and coassemble to form the active enzyme in mammalian cells.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Amyloid Precursor Protein Secretases
  • Animals
  • Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins*
  • Cricetinae
  • Cricetulus
  • Endopeptidases / metabolism*
  • Homeodomain Proteins / metabolism*
  • Membrane Glycoproteins / metabolism*
  • Membrane Proteins / metabolism*

Substances

  • APH-1 protein, C elegans
  • Caenorhabditis elegans Proteins
  • Homeodomain Proteins
  • Membrane Glycoproteins
  • Membrane Proteins
  • nicastrin protein
  • Amyloid Precursor Protein Secretases
  • Endopeptidases