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Publication Abstract from PubMed

delta-secretase, also known as asparagine endopeptidase (AEP) or legumain, is a lysosomal cysteine protease that cleaves both amyloid precursor protein (APP) and tau, mediating the amyloid-beta and tau pathology in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Here we report the therapeutic effect of an orally bioactive and brain permeable delta-secretase inhibitor in mouse models of AD. We performed a high-throughput screen and identified a non-toxic and selective delta-secretase inhibitor, termed compound 11, that specifically blocks delta-secretase but not other related cysteine proteases. Co-crystal structure analysis revealed a dual active site-directed and allosteric inhibition mode of this compound class. Chronic treatment of tau P301S and 5XFAD transgenic mice with this inhibitor reduces tau and APP cleavage, ameliorates synapse loss and augments long-term potentiation, resulting in protection of memory. Therefore, these findings demonstrate that this delta-secretase inhibitor may be an effective clinical therapeutic agent towards AD.

Inhibition of delta-secretase improves cognitive functions in mouse models of Alzheimer's disease.,Zhang Z, Obianyo O, Dall E, Du Y, Fu H, Liu X, Kang SS, Song M, Yu SP, Cabrele C, Schubert M, Li X, Wang JZ, Brandstetter H, Ye K Nat Commun. 2017 Mar 27;8:14740. doi: 10.1038/ncomms14740. PMID:28345579^[1]

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.