Beta-amyloid peptide production inhibitors and methods for their identification

摘要

A method for identifying compounds capable of inhibiting the production of beta -amyloid peptide in cells comprises exposing cultured cells in one or more test compounds. The cells are cultured under conditions which produce amyloid precursor protein and which result in intracellular accumulation of an approximately 22 kD polypeptide which includes the entire sequence of the beta -amyloid peptide. Test compounds which cause a change in the accumulation of the 22 kD polypeptide are considered likely candidates for use as drugs for treating beta -amyloid diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease.