The carboxyl termini of beta-amyloid peptides 1-40 and 1-42 are generated by distinct gamma-secretase activities.

We have studied the effects of peptide aldehyde protease inhibitors on the secretion of beta-amyloid peptide 1-40 (Abeta(1-40)) and Abeta(1-42) by HEK 293 and COS-1 cells expressing beta-amyloid precursor protein with the Swedish double mutation. A multiphasic SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis system was used for the discrimination of Abeta(1-40) and Abeta(1-42). Calpain inhibitor I, carbobenzoxyl-Leu-Leu-leucinal, and calpeptin were found to reduce the amount of Abeta(1-40) released into the medium in a dose-dependent manner. The reduction of Abeta(1-40) after treatment with 50 microM calpain inhibitor I or 5 microM carbobenzoxyl-Leu-Leu-leucinal was accompanied by a slight increase of Abeta(1-42) released into the medium. These observations suggest that the cleavages at residues 40 and 42 are accomplished by different enzyme activities.