Amyloid Precursor Protein

Abstract

AbstractThe amyloid‐precursor protein (APP) is a transmembrane glycoprotein implicated in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). In mammals, there are two paralogues of APP termed amyloid precursor‐like protein 1 (APLP1) and amyloid precursor‐like protein 2 (APLP2). Orthologues of APP also exist, suggesting a conserved function vital throughout evolution. APP is a multidomain protein with metal‐binding sites critical to its function. There are two copper‐binding domains, one lies in the N‐terminus, adjacent to the zinc‐binding domain, and the other is in the amyloid‐beta (Aβ) domain. Aβ is derived via a series of protease cleavages of APP by the secretases, and is the main constituent..