γ-secretasemodulatory proteins: The guiding hand behind the running scissors Review


Authors: Wong, E.; Frost, G. R.; Li, Y. M.
Review Title: γ-secretasemodulatory proteins: The guiding hand behind the running scissors
Abstract: Described as the “proteasome of the membrane” or the “scissors in the membrane,” γ-secretase has notoriously complicated biology, and even after decades of research, the full extent of its regulatory mechanism remains unclear. γ-Secretase is an intramembrane aspartyl protease complex composed of four obligatory subunits: Nicastrin (NCT), Presenilin (PS), Presenilin Enhancer-2 (Pen-2), and Anterior pharynx-defective-1 (Aph-1). γ-Secretase cleaves numerous type 1 transmembrane substrates, with no apparent homology, and plays major roles in broad biological pathways such as development, neurogenesis, and cancer. Notch and the amyloid precursor protein (APP) and are undoubtedly the best-studied γ-secretase substrates because of their role in cancer and Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and therefore became the focus of increasing studies as an attractive therapeutic target. The regulation of γ-secretase is intricate and involves the function of multiple cellular entities. Recently, γ-secretase modulatory proteins (GSMPs), which are non-essential subunits and yet modulate γ-secretase activity and specificity, have emerged as an important component in guiding γ-secretase. GSMPs are responsive to cellular and environmental changes and therefore, provide another layer of regulation of γ-secretase. This type of enzymatic regulation allows for a rapid and fine-tuning of γ-secretase activity when appropriate signals appear enabling a temporal level of regulation. In this review article, we discuss the latest developments on GSMPs and implications on the development of effective therapeutics for γ-secretase-associated diseases such as AD and cancer. © Copyright © 2020 Wong, Frost and Li.
Keywords: hypoxia; neurodegeneration; enzyme; neuroinflammation; ifitm
Journal Title: Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience
Volume: 12
ISSN: 1663-4365
Publisher: Frontiers Research Foundation  
Date Published: 2020-12-02
Start Page: 614690
Language: English
DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2020.614690
PROVIDER: scopus
PMCID: PMC7738330
PUBMED: 33343338
DOI/URL:
Notes: Review -- Export Date: 4 January 2021 -- Source: Scopus
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  1. Yueming Li
    132 Li
  2. Georgia Frost
    9 Frost
  3. Wan Fung Wong
    12 Wong