Amyloid precursor-like protein 2 (APLP2)

Amyloid precursor-like protein 2 (APLP2) is a type I transmembrane glycoprotein encoded by the APLP2 gene and is a member of the amyloid precursor protein (APP) family, which also includes APP and APLP1[1][3][4]. APLP2 is ubiquitously expressed and participates in diverse cellular processes such as cell adhesion, modulation of glucose and insulin homeostasis, regulation of synaptic plasticity, and neural development[1][2][3]. It features extracellular domains for binding copper and zinc, a BPTI/Kunitz protease inhibitor domain, a transmembrane region, and a cytoplasmic tail containing motifs relevant to endocytosis and protein interactions[1][2]. APLP2 plays important roles in both neurobiology, notably in synaptogenesis and neural cell migration, and in various cancers where it can influence proliferation, immune evasion, and metastasis[4]. Unlike APP, APLP2 does not generate amyloid-beta peptides implicated in Alzheimer's disease, but it may share contributions to neurodegenerative and oncogenic processes. Existing beta-secretase inhibitors aimed at APP also affect APLP2 processing but there are currently no drugs specifically targeting APLP2[4].

Other names

Amyloid beta precursor like protein 2APPL2APLP-2CDEBPAPPHAmyloid beta (A4) precursor-like protein 2Amyloid protein homologAmyloid-like protein 2CDEI box-binding proteinSperm membrane protein YWK-IItesticular tissue protein Li 23

Inhibition of beta-secretase to reduce APLP2 cleavage and downstream peptide products[4]