Journal of Biological Chemistry
Volume 275, Issue 40, 6 October 2000, Pages 30849-30854
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PROTEIN SYNTHESIS POST-TRANSLATION MODIFICATION AND DEGRADATION
Maturation and Pro-peptide Cleavage of β-Secretase*

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Amyloid β-peptide is generated by two sequential proteolytic cleavages mediated by β-secretase (BACE) and γ-secretase. BACE was recently identified as a membrane-associated aspartyl protease. We have now analyzed the maturation and pro-peptide cleavage of BACE. Pulse-chase experiments revealed that BACE is post-translationally modified during transport to the cell surface, which can be monitored by a significant increase in the molecular mass. The increase in molecular mass is caused by complexN-glycosylation. Treatment with tunicamycin andN-glycosidase F led to a BACE derivative with a molecular weight corresponding to an unmodified version. In contrast, the mature form of BACE was resistant to endoglycosidase H treatment. The cytoplasmic tail of BACE was required for efficient maturation and trafficking through the Golgi; a BACE variant lacking the cytoplasmic tail undergoes inefficient maturation. In contrast a soluble BACE variant that does not contain a membrane anchor matured more rapidly than full-length BACE. Pro-BACE was predominantly located within the endoplasmic reticulum. Pro-peptide cleavage occurred immediately before full maturation and trafficking through the Golgi.

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Published, JBC Papers in Press, May 8, 2000, DOI 10.1074/jbc.M003202200

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This work was supported by the Boehringer Ingelheim K.G.The costs of publication of this article were defrayed in part by the payment of page charges. The article must therefore be hereby marked “advertisement” in accordance with 18 U.S.C. Section 1734 solely to indicate this fact.