Identification of an archaeal presenilin-like intramembrane protease.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The GXGD-type diaspartyl intramembrane protease, presenilin, constitutes the catalytic core of the γ-secretase multi-protein complex responsible for activating critical signaling cascades during development and for the production of β-amyloid peptides (Aβ) implicated in Alzheimer's disease. The only other known GXGD-type diaspartyl intramembrane proteases are the eukaryotic signal peptide peptidases (SPPs). The presence of presenilin-like enzymes outside eukaryots has not been demonstrated. Here we report the existence of presenilin-like GXGD-type diaspartyl intramembrane proteases in archaea.

Methodology and principal findings

We have employed in vitro activity assays to show that MCMJR1, a polytopic membrane protein from the archaeon Methanoculleus marisnigri JR

SUBMITTER: Torres-Arancivia C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2947513 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature