Statine-derived tetrapeptide inhibitors of β-secretase

Abstract

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is characterised by the accumulation of amyloid β-peptide (Aβ) within senile plaques in the brain. β-secretase is one of the enzymes necessary for the production of amyloid β-peptide from the amyloid precursor protein (APP), the other being γ-secretase. β-Secretase was recently characterised as a novel aspartyl protease. Statine-derived tetrapeptide inhibitors of this enzyme, described in this patent, may have therapeutic applications in AD.

• β
• -secretase
• β
• -secretase inhibitors
• γ
• -secretase
• Alzheimer’s disease
• amyloid β-peptideamyloid precursor protein (APP)
• aspartyl protease
• β
• -site APP cleaving enzyme (BACE)