Soluble derivatives of beta/A4 amyloid protein precursor in human cerebrospinal fluid are both N- and O-glycosylated.

The linkage of the glycan chain to the beta/A4 amyloid protein precursor (APP) in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) was studied by Western blot analysis. The apparent molecular weight of APP in CSF was reduced from 103 to 100 kDa by N-glycanase, and to 96 kDa by O-glycanase treatment, respectively. These data indicate that APP is both N- and O-glycosylated in one molecule. The extent of glycosylation of APP was not altered in the CSF from patients with Alzheimer's disease.