Beta-secretase 1 (BACE1), a.k.a. beta-site amyloid precursor protein cleaving enzyme 1 or beta-site APP cleaving enzyme 1, is an enzyme and BACE1 gene encodes it in humans. BACE1 is an aspartic-acid protease important in the formation of myelin sheaths in peripheral nerve cells. The transmembrane protein contains two active site aspartate residues in its extracellular protein domain and may function as a dimer. Innoprot has developed a family of green fluorescent BACE1 stable Cell lines for cell-based assays applications.

The pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease is highly complex. While several pathologies characterize this disease, amyloid plaques, composed of the β-amyloid peptide are hallmark neuropathological lesions in Alzheimer’s disease brain. Indeed, a wealth of evidence suggests that β-amyloid is central to the pathophysiology of AD and is likely to play an early role in this intractable neurodegenerative disorder. The BACE1 enzyme is essential for the generation of β-amyloid. The fact that BACE1 initiates the formation of β-amyloid, and the observation that BACE1 levels are elevated in this disease provide direct and compelling reasons to develop therapies directed at BACE1 inhibition thus reducing β-amyloid and its associated toxicities. Recent studies show that complete abolishment of BACE1 provokes specific behavioral and physiological alterations.