ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Amyloid precursor protein secretase

Amyloid precursor protein secretase is a big and tricky name for something that helps the brain work properly. The brain is like a big computer for our body, and it needs some important pieces to work properly. One of these pieces is a protein called amyloid precursor protein, or APP for short.

The Amyloid precursor protein secretase is like a tiny helper that cuts the APP protein into smaller pieces so that the brain can use them better. Sometimes, though, things go wrong and instead of being cut into smaller pieces, the APP protein is cut into little pieces that clump together and make the brain not work well. This causes a disease called Alzheimer's, which is when our brain can't remember things well.

Scientists are trying to figure out how to make sure the Amyloid precursor protein secretase cuts the APP protein in the right way, so our brain stays healthy and we can remember things better!