γ‐Secretase: a multifaceted regulator of angiogenesis

  • Boulton M
  • Cai J
  • Grant M
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Abstract

Physiological angiogenesis is essential for development, homeostasis and tissue repair but pathological neovascularization is a major feature of tumours, rheumatoid arthritis and ocular complications. Studies over the last decade have identified gamma-secretase, a presenilin-dependent protease, as a key regulator of angiogenesis through: (i) regulated intramembrane proteolysis and transmembrane cleavage of receptors (e.g. VEGFR-1, Notch, ErbB-4, IGFI-R) followed by translocation of the intracellular domain to the nucleus, (ii) translocation of full length membrane-bound receptors to the nucleus (VEGFR-1), (iii) phosphorylation of membrane bound proteins (VEGFR-1 and ErbB-4), (iv) modulation of adherens junctions (cadherin) and regulation of permeability and (v) cleavage of amyloid precursor protein to amyloid-? which is able to regulate the angiogenic process. The gamma-secretase-induced translocation of receptors to the nucleus provides an alternative intracellular signalling pathway, which acts as a potent regulator of transcription. gamma-secretase is a complex composed of four different integral proteins (presenilin, nicastrin, Aph-1 and Pen-2), which determine the stability, substrate binding, substrate specificity and proteolytic activity of gamma-secretase. This seeming complexity allows numerous possibilities for the development of targeted gamma-secretase agonists/antagonists, which can specifically regulate the angiogenic process. This review will consider the structure and function of gamma-secretase, the growing evidence for its role in angiogenesis and the substrates involved, gamma-secretase as a therapeutic target and future challenges in this area.

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APA

Boulton, M. E., Cai, J., & Grant, M. B. (2008). γ‐Secretase: a multifaceted regulator of angiogenesis. Journal of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, 12(3), 781–795. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1582-4934.2008.00274.x

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