Question 3
(Essay)
Answer
A.γ-secretase is the enzyme that produces the Aβ peptide after APP-β has been cleaved from the APP peptide. This includes Aβ40 and Aβ42, peptides that aggregate to form plaques in Alzheimer's. If this enzyme could be altered it could reduce the production of Aβ42, which would reduce the potential for aggregates to form and slow the progression of the disease.
B. There are many side effects to the drugs probably because γ-secretase targets many proteins other than APP and so the drugs have very broad and damaging effects.