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Nature 443, 761-762 (19 October 2006) | doi:10.1038/nature05210; Published online 11 October 2006

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Structural biology: Enzyme target to latch on to

Malcolm A. Leissring1 & Dennis J. Selkoe2

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Insulin-degrading enzyme is implicated in diabetes and Alzheimer's disease, but few molecular tools exist that can probe its function. A study now reveals its unusual structure and may lead to an expanded toolbox.

Proteases are vital enzymes that have been targeted for the treatment of many diseases. One such protease, insulin-degrading enzyme (IDE), has strong links to diabetes and Alzheimer's disease but has nonetheless proved to be an elusive drug target, despite more than 50 years of intensive research.

  1. Malcolm A. Leissring is in the Department of Biochemistry, Scripps Florida, The Scripps Research Institute, Jupiter, Florida 33458, USA.
    Email: leissring@scripps.edu
  2. Dennis J. Selkoe is at the Center for Neurologic Diseases, Brigham & Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA.
    Email: dselkoe@rics.bwh.harvard.edu

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