MINI-REVIEW: beta-Amyloid: Alzheimer's Disease and Brain beta-Amyloidoses

N. V. Koudinova^1*, T. T. Berezov^1,2, and A. R. Koudinov^1,3

¹Institute of Biomedical Chemistry, Russian Academy of Medical Sciences, ul. Pogodinskaya 10, Moscow, 119832 Russia; fax: (095) 245-0852; E-mail: inst@ibmh.msk.su

²Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Russian People's Friendship University, ul. Miklukho-Maklaya 8, Moscow, 117198 Russia; fax: (095) 434-0412; E-mail: berez@med.pfu.edu.ru

³National Mental Health Research Center, Russian Academy of Medical Sciences, Zagorodnoe Shosse 2/2, Moscow, 113152 Russia; fax: (095) 952-8940; E-mail: burbaeva@rcmh.msk.ru

^* To whom correspondence should be addressed.

Received June 16, 1998; Revision received March 10, 1999

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This review considers some aspects of the biochemistry of beta-amyloid, a protein which produces insoluble deposits in the brain. These deposits are a specific morphological feature of Alzheimer's disease, Down's syndrome, and senile dementia. Our contribution to the concept of a soluble form of beta-amyloid as of a normal human protein is presented.

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KEY WORDS: Alzheimer's disease, beta-amyloid, beta-amyloid precursor, lipid metabolism

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