Enzyme discovery could help Alzheimer's patients

Tuesday, February 15th 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- Oklahoma researchers have identified an enzyme believed to be responsible for a plaque-like buildup in the brain of Alzheimer's sufferers. The six-member Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation team's findings will be published today in The Proceedings of the National Academy of Science.

The researchers found the overabundance of the enzyme Mempasin 2 can lead to production of a plaque that kills brain cells responsible for memory and other functions. The enzyme is similar to one that breaks down food in the digestive system.

As the plaque increases, so does the progression of Alzheimer's symptoms. When the Mempasin 2 discovery was first made in October, the research team was doubled. The team has since found a way to clone the enzyme in their laboratory, which will speed research.

The next step for the group is focusing research on developing a drug to inhibit the enzyme's growth, said Dr. Jordan Tang, head of the research team. "It is obvious that if we can stop this enzyme, we can stop the progression of Alzheimer's," said Tang.

Inhibitors found for other diseases spur optimism that an inhibiting drugs could be six or seven years away. There a resimilar protein-inhibiting drugs used to treat digestive diseases, hypertension and HIV.

The next phase is being eagerly awaited by the Alzheimer's caregiver community. "A study as significant as this is encouraging and brings us closer to a world without Alzheimer's," said Judy Ver Hoef, executive director of the Alzheimer's Association of Oklahoma.