Abeta (Beta-APP, ABPP)

A major component of neuritic plaques in Alzheimer's disease

General Information

Amyloid deposits, also called plaques, of Alzheimer's patients consist of several protein components like the amyloid beta-peptides (Abeta, Aβ) 1-40/42 and additional C- and N-terminally modified fragments of Abeta as for instance pyro-glu Abeta.
An additional Abeta 1-38 variant has been described, but its physiological and/or pathological relevance still has to be elucidated.
Cleavage of amyloid precursor protein APP by β- and γ- secretases results in the generation of the Aβ (βA4)peptide, whereas α-secretase cleaves within the Aβ sequence and prevents formation from APP.