Alpha secretases are a family of proteolytic enzymes that cleave amyloid precursor protein (APP) in its transmembrane region. Specifically, alpha secretases cleave within the fragment that gives rise to the Alzheimer's disease-associated peptide amyloid beta when APP is instead processed by beta secretase and gamma secretase. The alpha-secretase pathway is the predominant APP processing pathway.
Alpha secretases are proteolytic enzymes that cut amyloid precursor protein (APP) in its transmembrane region. They specifically make cuts within the segment that generates the Alzheimer's disease-related peptide amyloid beta when APP is processed by beta secretase and gamma secretase. The alpha-secretase pathway is the primary method for processing APP.