Generation of Alzheimer Amyloid β Peptide through Nonspecific Proteolysis

Polymerization of Alzheimer amyloid β peptide (Aβ) into amyloid fibrils is associated with resistance to proteolysis and tissue deposition. Here, it was investigated whether Aβ might be generated as a protease-resistant core from a polymerized precursor. A 100-amino acid C-terminal fragment of the Alzheimer β-amyloid precursor protein (C100), containing the Aβ and cytoplasmic domains, polymerized both when inserted into membranes and after purification. When subjected to digestion using the nonspecific enzyme proteinase K, the cytoplasmic domain of C100 was degraded, whereas the Aβ domain remained intact. In contrast, dissociated C100 polymers were almost completely degraded by proteinase K. Mammalian cells transfected with the human Alzheimer β-amyloid precursor gene contained a fragment corresponding to C100, which needed similar harsh conditions to be dissolved, as did polymers formed by purified C100. Hence, it was concluded that C100 polymers are formed in mammalian cells. These results suggest that the C terminus of Aβ can be generated by nonspecific proteases, acting on a polymerized substrate, rather than a specific γ-secretase. This offers an explanation of how the Aβ peptide can be formed in organelles containing proteases capable of cleaving most peptide bonds.