Beta-amyloid peptide degradation by aminopeptidase and its functional role in Alzheimer's disease pathogenesis

Both synthetic and endogenous $A{\beta}$ are degraded by peptidase G. Both $A{\beta}40$ and 42 are cleaved by peptidase G. Peptidase G cleaves $A{\beta}40$ into small fragments ($A{\beta}18$) which lacks aggregation property and are not toxic to neuron. Peptidase G seems to degrade multimeric $A{\beta}$ more efficiently than monomeric $A{\beta}$. Peptidase G protects neurons from toxicity induced by $A{\beta}$ by cleaving it into smaller fragments. Thus, dis-regulation of peptidase G could contribute amyloid deposit found in AD brain.