Molecular Classification
Enzyme, Aspartic protease, A1 family
Other Names
Beta-secretase 2, Transmembrane aspartic protease, BACE-2
Disease Roles
Down's syndrome dementia riskAlzheimer's DiseaseOsteoarthritis

Beta-site amyloid precursor protein cleaving enzyme 2 Overview

Beta-site amyloid precursor protein cleaving enzyme 2 (BACE2) is an aspartic protease that cleaves amyloid precursor protein (APP). While it can cleave APP at the β-secretase site, it primarily acts as an α-secretase, preventing the formation of amyloid-beta peptides implicated in Alzheimer's disease. BACE2 is also involved in melanosome morphogenesis and exhibits neuroprotective functions. Its role in diseases such as Down's syndrome and certain cancers is being investigated, and it presents challenges and opportunities for therapeutic development due to its structural similarity with BACE1 and potential for off-target effects.

Mechanism of Action

Protease inhibition

Biological Functions

Non-amyloidogenic cleavage of APP
Melanosome morphogenesis
Proteolytic processing of amyloid precursor protein (APP)
Neuroprotection

Disease Associations

Down's syndrome dementia risk
Alzheimer's Disease
Osteoarthritis
Shoulder lesions
Cancer

Safety Considerations

  • Off-target effects due to structural similarity with BACE1
  • Disruption of BACE2's beneficial roles