SECRETASE Meaning and
Definition
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Secretase is an enzyme that plays a vital role in the regulatory process of protein breaking down within the cells. This proteolytic enzyme is responsible for cleaving or cutting specific peptide bonds, leading to the controlled degradation of proteins. Secretases primarily function within the cellular membrane and are involved in the processing of various transmembrane proteins, including membrane receptors and proteins involved in signal transduction pathways.
Secretases are classified into different types based on their specific substrates and cleavage sites. The most well-known secretase is the amyloid precursor protein (APP) secretase, also known as β-secretase or BACE1. This enzyme plays a crucial role in the formation of beta-amyloid plaques, which are implicated in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease.
Other types of secretases include alpha-secretase, which cleaves amyloid precursor protein at a different site, resulting in the generation of non-amyloidogenic fragments. Gamma-secretase is another important secretase that cleaves the remaining fragments produced by α- or β-secretases. This enzyme is responsible for generating various intracellular signaling peptides.
The activity of secretases is tightly regulated, as dysregulation or abnormal expression of these enzymes can lead to various diseases, particularly neurodegenerative disorders. Therefore, understanding the precise mechanisms and regulation of secretase activity is critical for developing therapeutic interventions targeting these enzymes and associated diseases.
Common Misspellings for SECRETASE
- aecretase
- zecretase
- xecretase
- decretase
- eecretase
- wecretase
- swcretase
- sscretase
- sdcretase
- srcretase
- s4cretase
- s3cretase
- sexretase
- sevretase
- sefretase
- sedretase
- seceetase
- secdetase
- secfetase
- secreyase
Etymology of SECRETASE
The word "secretase" is derived from the combination of two components: "secret" and "ase".
1. "Secret": The term "secret" originates from the Latin word "secretus", which means "hidden" or "kept apart". In English, it refers to something kept concealed or undisclosed.
2. "Ase": The suffix "ase" is commonly used in biochemistry to denote enzymes. It comes from the Greek word "asis", meaning "enzyme" or "ferment".
Combining these two components, the term "secretase" was formed to describe a type of enzyme involved in the proteolytic cleavage of specific proteins, typically those involved in cell signaling or neurotransmission, which are generally not readily visible or known.
Similar spelling words for SECRETASE
- secret plan,
- Secretory,
- secretion,
- secret,
- secretin,
- secretary,
- secretively,
- secured,
- secretive,
- secretariate,
- secretor,
- secret code,
- secreter,
- secret agent,
- secretly,
- secretariat,
- secretaire,
- secretarial,
- sea cradle,
- secrete,
- Secreting.
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