Intramembrane proteolysis by presenilins

Many neurodegenerative diseases involve the deposition of insoluble amyloid molecules. In Alzheimer's disease, for example, the amyloid beta -peptide (A beta) is the main component of the characteristic senile plaques. Proteolytic enzymes called secretases are involved in generating A beta, and one of these may have been identified as presenilin - a discovery that paves the way for a more complete understanding of presenilin structure and function.