BACE2 Active Protein

This gene encodes an integral membrane glycoprotein that functions as an aspartic protease. The encoded protein cleaves amyloid precursor protein into amyloid beta peptide, which is a critical step in the etiology of Alzheimer's disease and Down syndrome. The protein precursor is further processed into an active mature peptide. Alternative splicing results in multiple transcript variants. [provided by RefSeq, Jul 2013]

BACE2: Responsible for the proteolytic processing of the amyloid precursor protein (APP). Cleaves APP, between residues 690 and 691, leading to the generation and extracellular release of beta-cleaved soluble APP, and a corresponding cell-associated C- terminal fragment which is later released by gamma-secretase. It has also been shown that it can cleave APP between residues 671 and 672. Belongs to the peptidase A1 family. 5 isoforms of the human protein are produced by alternative splicing.

Protein type: EC 3.4.23.45; Protease; Membrane protein, integral

Chromosomal Location of Human Ortholog: 21q22.3

Cellular Component: Golgi apparatus; cell surface; endoplasmic reticulum; integral to membrane; endosome

Molecular Function: aspartic-type endopeptidase activity

Biological Process: negative regulation of amyloid precursor protein biosynthetic process; membrane protein ectodomain proteolysis; peptide hormone processing; proteolysis