The function of the amyloid precursor protein family

Abstract

The purification and sequencing of the β-amyloid peptide (Aβ) [1]-[3] led to the cloning of the Alzheimer's disease (AD) amyloid precursor protein (APP) gene in the late 1980s [4]. Despite an extensive research effort toward understanding the function of APP, its physiological role remains poorly defined. This review will summarize the key activities associated with APP and its paralogues the amyloid precursor like proteins 1 and 2 (APLP1 and APLP2, respectively). © 2007 Springer-Verlag London Limited.