CATHEPSIN D IS AN AMYLOIDOGENIC PROTEASE IN ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE

摘要

Deposition of the neurotoxic beta-amyloid peptide is a pathologic process that takes place in the brains of Alzheimer's disease patients. Disclosed are methods for treating a patient with a therapeutic compound that functions by blocking the formation of beta-amyloid from the amyloid precursor protein (APP). We have identified the aspartic protease cathepsin D as a protease responsible for amyloidogenic processing of APP. Non-toxic compounds are disclosed that block both the in vitro activity of human cathepsin D, and the release of beta-amyloid by human cells. Such aspartic protease inhibitors thus have utility as therapeutics for Alzheimer's disease by blocking the pathologic accumulation of beta-amyloid.