Inhibition of meprin β enzyme, linked to the development of Alzheimer’s disease, analyzed

Inhibition of meprin β enzyme linked to the development of Alzheimer's disease analyzed
Model of the molecular complex that results when the blood plasma protein fetuin-B (purple and pink) binds with the enzyme meprin β (other colors) Credit: Walter Stöcker

Researchers at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz (JGU) in Germany and the Institute of Molecular Biology of Barcelona in Spain have discovered how the blood plasma protein fetuin-B binds to the enzyme meprin β and used a computer model to visualize their findings. These results could lead to the development of new drugs to treat serious diseases such as Alzheimer’s and cancer. Meprin β releases proteins from cell membranes, thus controlling important physiological functions in the human body. However, a dysregulation of this process can trigger the development of Alzheimer’s and cancer. Meprin β is regulated by…

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