Parsing of precursor protein gives clues to Alzheimer’s - Rockford, IL - Rockford Register Star

Parsing of precursor protein gives clues to Alzheimer’s - Rockford, IL - Rockford Register Star: "HOUSTON, Texas — As researchers try to understand how a particular protein sets the stage for the toxic plaques that wreak havoc on the brains of people with Alzheimer’s disease, they face a dilemma.

This protein, called the amyloid precursor protein, not only begins the damaging process that results in Alzheimer’s, it also has a critical biological function in brain development and in the synapse (the junction between nerve cells or nerve and muscle cells). To figure out how this protein causes Alzheimer’s, they must figure out what parts of this precursor protein are necessary for normal development and activity and which contribute to disease."