COMPOSITIONS AND METHODS FOR DETECTING AMYLOID-BETA-DEGRADING ENZYME ACTIVITY

摘要

Novel substrates for detection of activity of amyloid beta degrading enzyme, such as Neprilysin (NEP) and insulin degrading enzyme (IDE), associated with Alzheimer's disease, are provided. A quenched fluorogenic peptide substrate containing the first seven residues of the Abetapeptide plus a C-terminal Cys residue to detect neprilysin activity with a fluorophore attached to the C-terminal Cys and a quencher linked to the N-terminus of the peptide is disclosed. An assay system sensitive to endopeptidase activity of NEP and IDE, but insensitive to other Abeta-degrading enzymes is disclosed. Active compounds are identified by a cell-based assay system for high-throughput screening.