Atypical processing of amyloid precursor fusion protein by proteolytic activity in Pichia pastoris

Secretases catalyze the production of important proteolytic products of the amyloid precursor protein. We expressed a fusion protein that contained horseradish peroxidase, fragment 590-695 of amyloid precursor protein, and c-myc and polyhistidine tags in Pichia pastoris. It secreted a 50-kDa N-terminal fragment; a 15-kDa C-terminal fragment accumulated in cells. The N-terminal fragment exhibited peroxidase activity and reacted with antibodies specific for peptides within the sequences -2 to 15 and 21-37 of beta-amyloid peptide. The C-terminal fragment reacted with antibodies that recognize the sequences 649-664 and 676-695 of amyloid precursor protein and the C-terminal c-myc tag. To locate the cut site, the C-terminal fragment was metabolically labeled with either [(35)S]Met or [(3)H]Lys and radiosequenced. A major component, derived from a cleavage at Gly(25)-Ser(26) of beta-amyloid, was detected. Results suggest a predominant atypical cleavage, like that observed in Down Syndrome fibroblasts, occurs between the alpha- and gamma-sites.