Apo and Inhibitor Complex Structures of BACE (β-secretase)

Human BACE, also known as β-secretase, shows promise as a potential therapeutic target for Alzheimerʹs disease. We determined the apo structure of BACE to 1.75 Å, and a structure of a hydroxyethylamine inhibitor complex derived by soaking. These show significant active-site movements compared to previously described BACE structures. Additionally, the structures reveal two pockets that could be targeted by structure-based drug design.