Amyloid Beta Precursor Protein: Proper Credit for the Basic Biochemical Properties of the Most Studied Protein in the 21st Century

The amyloid precursor protein (APP) is mainly known for being the precursor of the ß-amyloid peptide, which accumulates in plaques found in the brain of Alzheimer's disease patients. Expression in different tissues and the degree of sequence identity among mammals indicate an essential and non-tissue specific physiological function. APP is anchored to the membrane and displays a single C-terminal intracellular domain and a longer N-terminal extracellular domain. The basic biochemical properties and the scattered data on research, not related to production of beta-amyloid peptide, suggest that the protein and the molecules resulting from APP proteolytic cleavage may act as adhesion factors, enzymes, hormones/neurotransmitters and/or protease inhibitors. APP deserves to be known for its quite notable properties and its physiological role(s).

Biochemical differentiation between Ophidion Barbatum and o. Rochei (Pisces, Ophidiidae)

El gènere Ophidion esta representat al Mediterrani per dues espècies, 0. barbatum L. i O.rochei Müller. Són dues espècies molt similars en aspecte i difícils d'identificar només apartir dels seus caràcters morfològics externs. El treball descriu en primer lloc, i a partir de dades obtingudes per tècniques electroforètiques, alguns marcadors bioquímics que permetendiferenciar les dues espècies. En segon lloc, i a partir del càlcul de la 'Distància Genèticade Nei', es fa una estimació del temps de divergència entre O. barbatum i 0. rochei