Presenilin 1 is linked with γ-secretase activity in the detergent solubilized state

γ-Secretase is a membrane-associated protease that cleaves within the transmembrane region of amyloid precursor protein to generate the C termini of the two Aβ peptide isoforms, Aβ40 and Aβ42. Here we report the detergent solubilization and partial characterization of γ-secretase. The activity of solubilized γ-secretase was measured with a recombinant substrate, C100Flag, consisting largely of the C-terminal fragment of amyloid precursor protein downstream of the β-secretase cleavage site. Cleavage of C100Flag by γ-secretase was detected by electrochemiluminescence using antibodies that specifically recognize the Aβ40 or Aβ42 termini. Incubation of C100Flag with HeLa cell membranes or detergent-solubilized HeLa cell membranes generates both the Aβ40 and Aβ42 termini. Recovery of catalytically competent, soluble γ-secretase critically depends on the choice of detergent; CHAPSO (3-[(3-cholamidopropyl)dimethylammonio]-2-hydroxy-1-propanesulfonate) but not Triton X-100 is suitable. Solubilized γ-secretase activity is inhibited by pepstatin and more potently by a novel aspartyl protease transition-state analog inhibitor that blocks formation of Aβ40 and Aβ42 in mammalian cells. Upon gel exclusion chromatography, solubilized γ-secretase activity coelutes with presenilin 1 (PS1) at an apparent relative molecular weight of approximately 2.0 × 10(6). Anti-PS1 antibody immunoprecipitates γ-secretase activity from the solubilized γ-secretase preparation. These data suggest that γ-secretase activity is catalyzed by a PS1-containing macromolecular complex.