Nicastrin Polyclonal Antibody

Background/Target Information

Nicastrin, in addition to presenilin, PEN2, and APH-1 forms the -gamma-secretase protein complex, a membrane-bound aspartyl protease that can cleave certain proteins at peptide bonds buried within the hydrophobic environment of the lipid bilayer. This cleavage is responsible for a key step in signaling from several cell-surface receptors and is thought to be required for the generation of the neurotoxic amyloid peptides that are central to the pathogenesis of Alzheimer and quote;s disease. Like the tumor necrosis factor-a-converting enzyme (TACE) and the b-site cleavage enzyme (BACE) protease families, -gamma-secretase will cleave the amyloid precursor protein (APP), but within the intramembrane region of APP, resulting in either the non-toxic p3 (from the alpha and -gamma cleavage site) or the toxic Abeta amyloid peptide (from the beta and -gamma cleavage site). It is thought that accumulation of the Abeta peptide is the precursor to Alzheimer and quote;s disease. Nicastrin is also thought to be involved in cell proliferation and signaling, especially in regards to activation of Notch receptors as loss of Nicastrin expression results in mouse embryonic lethality.