A method for identifying compounds that inhibit aberrant amyloid-beta precursor protein processing in cells, comprising contacting a test compound with a LIGASE polypeptide, or fragment thereof, and measuring a compound-LIGASE property related to the production of amyloid-beta peptide. Cellular assays of the method measure amyloid beta peptide levels. Therapeutic methods, and pharmaceutical compositions including effective amyloid-beta precursor processing-inhibiting amounts of LIGASE DNA expression agents or LIGASE agonists, are useful for treating conditions involving cognitive impairment such as Alzheimers Disease.
METHODS, COMPOSITIONS AND COMPOUND ASSAYS FOR INHIBITING AMYLOID-BETA PROTEIN PRODUCTION