Intramembrane proteolysis by presenilins

Abstract
Many neurodegenerative diseases involve the deposition of insoluble amyloid molecules. In Alzheimer's disease, for example, the amyloid β-peptide (Aβ) is the main component of the characteristic senile plaques. Proteolytic enzymes called secretases are involved in generating Aβ, 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.