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Amyloid Precursor Protein

Su Ling Leong

Su Ling Leong

University of Melbourne, Department of Pathology, Parkville, Victoria, Australia, 3010

University of Melbourne, Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, Victoria, Australia, 3010

Mental Health Research Institute of Victoria, Parkville, Victoria, Australia, 3052

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Kevin J. Barnham

Kevin J. Barnham

University of Melbourne, Department of Pathology, Parkville, Victoria, Australia, 3010

University of Melbourne, Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, Victoria, Australia, 3010

Mental Health Research Institute of Victoria, Parkville, Victoria, Australia, 3052

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Gerd Multhaup

Gerd Multhaup

Freie Universitaet Berlin, Institut fuer Chemie/Biochemie, Thielallee 63, Berlin, Germany, D-14195

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Roberto Cappai

Roberto Cappai

University of Melbourne, Department of Pathology, Parkville, Victoria, Australia, 3010

University of Melbourne, Centre for Neuroscience, Victoria, Australia, 3010

University of Melbourne, Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, Victoria, Australia, 3010

Mental Health Research Institute of Victoria, Parkville, Victoria, Australia, 3052

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First published: 15 December 2011

Abstract

The 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 of the amyloid plaques that are a key pathological hallmark of AD. The physiological role of APP is as yet unknown. It can reduce Cu2+ to Cu+, and the physiological and three-dimensional structure suggests a role as a copper chaperone. The binding of Cu to Aβ is toxic to neuronal cultures, and this may contribute to the oxidative stress that is commonly observed in AD.

3D Structure

Description unavailable

NMR structure of the APP CuBD (PDB code: 1OWT). Highlighted are the residues implicated in the copper-binding site. His-147 and His-151 (red), Tyr-168 (yellow) and Met-170 (magenta). Disulfide bridges are shown in light blue. (Figure prepared using the program MOLMOL.44)

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