Where Does Amyloid Beta Come from?

Beta-amyloid proteins are produced when a precursor protein found in the membranes of many different tissues is clipped in two, so technically can be produced anywhere in the body. More importantly, they can cross the near-impenetrable wall of cells separating blood vessels from the brain's precious grey matter.

How are amyloid beta formed?

Formation. Aβ is formed after sequential cleavage of the amyloid precursor protein (APP), a transmembrane glycoprotein of undetermined function. APP can be cleaved by the proteolytic enzymes α-, β- and γ-secretase; Aβ protein is generated by successive action of the β and γ secretases.

What causes amyloid beta build up?

Amyloid plaques form when pieces of protein called beta-amyloid aggregate. The beta-amyloid is produced when a much larger protein referred to as the amyloid precurosr protein (APP) is broken down. APP is composed of 771 amino acids and is cleaved by two enzymes to produce beta-amyloid.