The cerebral and vascular plaques associated with Alzheimer's disease are mainly composed of Amyloid beta peptides. beta Amyloid is derived from cleavage of the Amyloid precursor protein and varies in length from 39 to 43 amino acids. beta Amyloid [1-40], beta Amyloid [1-42], and beta Amyloid [1-43] peptides result from cleavage of Amyloid precursor protein after residues 40, 42, and 43, respectively. The cleavage takes place by gamma-secretase during the last Amyloid precursor protein processing step. beta Amyloid [1-40], beta Amyloid [1-42], and beta Amyloid [1-43] peptides are major constituents of the plaques and tangles that occur in Alzheimer's disease. beta Amyloid and peptides have been developed as tools for elucidating the biology of Alzheimer's disease.
