Patent ID: 7067271
Filing Date: 2006-06-27
Classification: A01K,A61K,A61P,C12N

Abstract:
1. A method of screening for compounds that inhibit Aβ production, comprising contacting a purified protein comprising a segment of a β-secretase enzyme protein extending from residue 46 to residue 452 of SEQ ID NO:2 or up to several amino acids beyond, wherein the purified protein lacks a transmembrane region and residues 1–45 of SEQ ID NO:2, wherein the purified protein exhibits β-secretase activity, as evidenced by an ability to cleave a substrate selected from the group consisting of the 695 amino acid isotype of beta amyloid precursor protein (β-APP) between amino acids 596 and 597 thereof, MBP-C125wt and MBP-C125sw with (a) a test compound and (b) a β-secretase substrate, and selecting the test compound as capable of inhibiting beta-amyloid (Aβ) production if said protein exhibits less β-secretase activity in the presence of said compound than in the absence of said compound.