Γ-secretase Substrates Research Articles

β Subunits of Voltage-gated Sodium Channels Are Novel Substrates of β-Site Amyloid Precursor Protein-cleaving Enzyme (BACE1) and γ-Secretase

Sequential processing of amyloid precursor protein (APP) by membrane-bound proteases, BACE1 and gamma-secretase, plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer disease. Much has been discovered on the properties of these proteases; however, regulatory mechanisms of enzyme-substrate interaction in neurons and their involvement in pathological changes are still not fully understood. It is mainly because of the membrane-associated cleavage of these proteases and the lack of information on new substrates processed in a similar way to APP. Here, using RNA interference-mediated BACE1 knockdown, mouse embryonic fibroblasts that are deficient in either BACE1 or presenilins, and BACE1-deficient mouse brain, we show clear evidence that beta subunits of voltage-gated sodium channels are sequentially processed by BACE1 and gamma-secretase. These results may provide new insights into the underlying pathology of Alzheimer disease.

Presenilin/γ-Secretase-mediated Cleavage of the Voltage-gated Sodium Channel β2-Subunit Regulates Cell Adhesion and Migration

The voltage-gated sodium channel beta2-subunit (beta2) is a member of the IgCAM superfamily and serves as both an adhesion molecule and an auxiliary subunit of the voltage-gated sodium channel. Here we found that beta2 undergoes ectodomain shedding followed by presenilin (PS)-dependent gamma-secretase-mediated cleavage. 12-O-Tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate treatment or expression of an alpha-secretase enzyme, ADAM10, resulted in ectodomain cleavage of beta2 in Chinese hamster ovary cells. Subsequent cleavage of the remaining 15-kDa C-terminal fragment (beta2-CTF) was independently inhibited by three specific gamma-secretase inhibitors, expression of the dominant negative form of PS1, and in PS1/PS2 knock-out cells. gamma-Secretase inhibitor treatment also increased endogenous beta2-CTF levels in neuroblastoma cells and mouse primary neuronal cultures. In a cell-free gamma-secretase assay, we detected gamma-secretase activity-dependent generation of a 12 kDa beta2 intracellular domain (ICD), which was loosely associated with the membrane fraction. To assess the functional role of beta2 processing by gamma-secretase, we tested whether N-[N-(3,5-difluorophenylacetyl-l-alanyl)]-S-phenylglycine t-butylester (DAPT), a specific gamma-secretase inhibitor, would alter beta2-mediated cell adhesion and migration. We found that DAPT inhibited cell-cell aggregation and migration in a wound healing assay carried out with Chinese hamster ovary cells expressing beta2. DAPT also reduced migration of neuroblastoma cells in a modified Boyden chamber assay. Since DAPT treatment resulted in increased beta2-CTF levels, we also tested whether beta2-CTFs or beta2-ICDs would directly affect cell migration by overexpressing recombinant proteins. Interestingly, elevated levels of beta2-CTFs, but not ICDs, also blocked cell migration by 81 to 93%. Together, our findings show for the first time that beta2 is a PS/gamma-secretase substrate and gamma-secretase mediated cleavage of beta2-CTF is required for cell-cell adhesion and migration of beta2-expressing cells.

The Low Density Lipoprotein Receptor-related Protein (LRP) Is a Novel β-Secretase (BACE1) Substrate

BACE is a transmembrane protease with beta-secretase activity that cleaves the amyloid precursor protein (APP). After BACE cleavage, APP becomes a substrate for gamma-secretase, leading to release of amyloid-beta peptide (Abeta), which accumulates in senile plaques in Alzheimer disease. APP and BACE are co-internalized from the cell surface to early endosomes. APP is also known to interact at the cell surface and be internalized by the low density lipoprotein receptor-related protein (LRP), a multifunctional endocytic and signaling receptor. Using a new fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET)-based assay of protein proximity, fluorescence lifetime imaging (FLIM), and co-immunoprecipitation we demonstrate that the light chain of LRP interacts with BACE on the cell surface in association with lipid rafts. Surprisingly, the BACE-LRP interaction leads to an increase in LRP C-terminal fragment, release of secreted LRP in the media and subsequent release of the LRP intracellular domain from the membrane. Taken together, these data suggest that there is a close interaction between BACE and LRP on the cell surface, and that LRP is a novel BACE substrate.

Statins Cause Intracellular Accumulation of Amyloid Precursor Protein, β-Secretase-cleaved Fragments, and Amyloid β-Peptide via an Isoprenoid-dependent Mechanism

The use of statins, 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase inhibitors that block the synthesis of mevalonate (and downstream products such as cholesterol and nonsterol isoprenoids), as a therapy for Alzheimer disease is currently the subject of intense debate. It has been reported that statins reduce the risk of developing the disorder, and a link between cholesterol and Alzheimer disease pathophysiology has been proposed. Moreover, experimental studies focusing on the cholesterol-dependent effects of statins have demonstrated a close association between cellular cholesterol levels and amyloid production. However, evidence suggests that statins are pleiotropic, and the potential cholesterol-independent effects of statins on amyloid precursor protein (APP) metabolism and amyloid beta-peptide (A beta) genesis are unknown. In this study, we developed a novel in vitro system that enabled the discrete analysis of cholesterol-dependent and -independent (i.e. isoprenoid-dependent) statin effects on APP cleavage and A beta formation. Given the recent interest in the role that intracellular A beta may play in Alzheimer disease, we analyzed statin effects on both secreted and cell-associated A beta. As reported previously, low cellular cholesterol levels favored the alpha-secretase pathway and decreased A beta secretion presumably within the endocytic pathway. In contrast, low isoprenoid levels resulted in the accumulation of APP, amyloidogenic fragments, and A beta likely within biosynthetic compartments. Importantly, low cholesterol and low isoprenoid levels appeared to have completely independent effects on APP metabolism and A beta formation. Although the implications of these effects for Alzheimer disease pathophysiology have yet to be investigated, to our knowledge, these results provide the first evidence that isoprenylation is involved in determining levels of intracellular A beta.

Growth Hormone Receptor Is a Target for Presenilin-dependent γ-Secretase Cleavage

Growth hormone receptor (GHR) is a cytokine receptor superfamily member that binds growth hormone (GH) via its extracellular domain and signals via interaction of its cytoplasmic domain with JAK2 and other signaling molecules. GHR is a target for inducible metalloprotease-mediated cleavage in its perimembranous extracellular domain, a process that liberates the extracellular domain as the soluble GH-binding protein and leaves behind a cell-associated GHR remnant protein containing the transmembrane and cytoplasmic domains. GHR metalloproteolysis can be catalyzed by tumor necrosis factor-alpha-converting enzyme (ADAM-17) and is associated with down-modulation of GH signaling. We now study the fate of the GHR remnant protein. By anti-GHR cytoplasmic domain immunoblotting, we observed that the remnant induced in response to phorbol ester or platelet-derived growth factor has a reliable pattern of appearance and disappearance in both mouse preadipocytes endogenously expressing GHR and transfected fibroblasts expressing rabbit GHR. Lactacystin, a specific proteasome inhibitor, did not appreciably change the time course of remnant appearance or clearance but allowed detection of the GHR stub, a receptor fragment slightly smaller than the remnant but containing the C terminus of the remnant (receptor cytoplasmic domain). In contrast, MG132, another (less specific) proteasome inhibitor, strongly inhibited remnant clearance and prevented stub appearance. Inhibitors of gamma-secretase, an aspartyl protease, also prevented the appearance of the stub, even in the presence of lactacystin, and concomitantly inhibited remnant clearance in the same fashion as MG132. In addition, mouse embryonic fibroblasts derived from presenilin 1 and 2 (PS1/2) knockouts recapitulated the gamma-secretase inhibitor studies, as compared with their littermate controls (PS1/2 wild type). Confocal microscopy indicated that the GHR cytoplasmic domain became localized to the nucleus in a fashion dependent on PS1/2 activity. These data indicate that the GHR is subject to sequential proteolysis by metalloprotease and gamma-secretase activities and may suggest GH-independent roles for the GHR.

Shedding and γ-secretase-mediated intramembrane proteolysis of the mucin-type molecule CD43

CD43 is a transmembrane molecule that contains a 123-aminoacids-long cytoplasmic tail and a highly O-glycosylated extracellular domain of mucin type. Endogenous CD43 expressed in COLO 205, K562 and Jurkat cells revealed a membrane-associated, 20 kDa CD43-specific cytoplasmic tail fragment (CD43-CTF) upon inhibition of gamma-secretase. This fragment was formed by an extracellular cleavage, as it was not accumulated after treating cells with 1,10-phenanthroline, a metalloprotease inhibitor. When CD43 was transfected into HEK-293 cells expressing dominant-negative PS1 (presenilin-1), the CD43-CTF was accumulated, but not in cells with wild-type PS1. Owing to its accumulation in the presence of a non-functional PS variant, it may thus be a novel gamma-secretase substrate. This CTF is formed by an extracellular cleavage close to the membrane, is a fragment that can be concluded to be a substrate for gamma-secretase. However, the intracellular gamma-secretase product has not been possible to detect, suggesting a quick processing of this product. During normal growth the CTF was not found without gamma-secretase inhibition, but when the cells (COLO 205) were very confluent the fragment could be detected. The intracellular domain of CD43 has previously been shown to contain a functional nuclear localization signal, and has been suggested to be involved in gene activation. From this and the present results, a novel way to explain how mucin-type molecules may transduce intracellular signals can be proposed.

RNA Interference-mediated Silencing of X11α and X11β Attenuates Amyloid β-Protein Levels via Differential Effects on β-Amyloid Precursor Protein Processing

RNA Interference-mediated Silencing of X11α and X11β Attenuates Amyloid β-Protein Levels via Differential Effects on β-Amyloid Precursor Protein Processing

γ-Secretase Exists on the Plasma Membrane as an Intact Complex That Accepts Substrates and Effects Intramembrane Cleavage*

Research on Alzheimer's disease led to the identification of a novel proteolytic mechanism in all metazoans, the presenilin/gamma-secretase complex. This unique intramembrane-cleaving aspartyl protease is required for the normal processing of Notch, Jagged, beta-amyloid precursor protein (APP), E-cadherin, and many other receptor-like proteins. We recently provided indirect evidence of gamma-secretase activity at the cell surface in HeLa cells following inhibition of receptor-mediated endocytosis. Here, we directly identify and isolate gamma-secretase as an intact complex (Presenilin, Nicastrin, Aph-1, and Pen-2) from the plasma membrane, both in overexpressing cell lines and endogenously. Inhibition of its proteolytic activity allowed cell surface gamma-secretase to be captured in association with its plasma membrane-localized APP substrates (C83 and C99). Moreover, non-denaturing isolation of the intact enzyme complex revealed that cell surface gamma-secretase can specifically generate amyloid beta-protein from an APP substrate and similarly cleave a Notch substrate. These data directly establish the proteolytic function of gamma-secretase on the plasma membrane, independent of a hypothesized substrate trafficking role. We conclude that presenilin/gamma-secretase exists as a mature complex at the cell surface, where it interacts with and can cleave its substrates, consistent with an essential function in processing many adhesion molecules and receptors required for cell-cell interaction or intercellular signaling.

Uncovering γ-Secretase

Accumulation of the amyloid beta-peptide (Abeta) in the brain is believed to initiate a series of neurotoxic events that causes neurodegeneration in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Abeta is generated by processing of the beta-amyloid precursor protein (APP) through the successive action of two proteolytic enzymes, beta-secretase and gamma-secretase. While beta-secretase has been identified as the membrane-bound aspartyl protease BACE, the identity of gamma-secretase, which catalyzes the final, intramembrane cleavage of APP as well as of several other type I transmembrane proteins, has been enigmatic for a long time. Exciting progress has been made in the past year towards its uncovering. Genetics paved the way for subsequent biochemical reconstitution studies that demonstrated that gamma-secretase is a protein complex composed of presenilin (PS), nicastrin (NCT), APH-1 and PEN-2. Thus, the complete set of genes that is required to generate Abeta from its precursor has now ultimately been identified. PS carries the active site of gamma-secretase and is a founding member of a novel class of polytopic aspartyl proteases that utilize a non-classical active site to cleave their membrane-tethered substrates. The other components are required for assembly, stabilization and maturation of the complex and NCT may be involved in the recognition of gamma-secretase substrates.

Release of a membrane-bound death domain by gamma-secretase processing of the p75NTR homolog NRADD.

Neurotrophin receptor alike death domain protein (NRADD) is a death-receptor-like protein with a unique ectodomain and an intracellular domain homologous to p75(NTR). Expression of NRADD results in apoptosis, but only in certain cell types. This paper characterizes the expression and proteolytic processing of the mature 55 kDa glycoprotein. N-terminally truncated NRADD is processed by a gamma-secretase activity that requires presenilins and has the same susceptibility to gamma-secretase inhibitors as the secretion of amyloid beta (A beta). The ectodomain of endogenous NRADD is shed by activation of metalloproteinases. Inhibitor studies provide evidence that NRADD is cleaved in two steps typical of regulated intramembrane proteolysis (RIP). Inhibition of gamma-secretase abrogates both the production of the soluble intracellular domain of NRADD and the appearance of NRADD in subnuclear structures. Thus, solubilized death domains with close homology to p75(NTR) might have a nuclear function. Furthermore, presenilin deficiency leads to abnormally glycosylated NRADD and overexpression of presenilin 2 inhibits NRADD maturation, which is dependent on the putative active site residue D366 but not on gamma-secretase activity. Our results demonstrate that NRADD is an additional gamma-secretase substrate and suggest that drugs against Alzheimer's disease will need to target gamma-secretase in a substrate-specific manner.

Monoubiquitination and endocytosis direct gamma-secretase cleavage of activated Notch receptor.

Activation of mammalian Notch receptor by its ligands induces TNFα-converting enzyme–dependent ectodomain shedding, followed by intramembrane proteolysis due to presenilin (PS)-dependent γ-secretase activity. Here, we demonstrate that a new modification, a monoubiquitination, as well as clathrin-dependent endocytosis, is required for γ-secretase processing of a constitutively active Notch derivative, ΔE, which mimics the TNFα-converting enzyme–processing product. PS interacts with this modified form of ΔE, ΔEu. We identified the lysine residue targeted by the monoubiquitination event and confirmed its importance for activation of Notch receptor by its ligand, Delta-like 1. We propose a new model where monoubiquitination and endocytosis of Notch are a prerequisite for its PS-dependent cleavage, and discuss its relevance for other γ-secretase substrates.

Functional γ-secretase complex assembly in Golgi/ trans-Golgi network: interactions among presenilin, nicastrin, Aph1, Pen-2, and γ-secretase substrates

γ-Secretase is a proteolytic complex whose substrates include Notch, β-amyloid precursor protein (APP), and several other type I transmembrane proteins. Presenilin (PS) and nicastrin are known components of this high-molecular-weight complex, and recent genetic screens in invertebrates have identified two additional gene products, Aph1 and Pen-2, as key factors in γ-secretase activity. Here, we examined the interaction of the components of the γ-secretase complex in Chinese hamster ovary cells stably expressing human forms of APP, PS1, Aph1, and Pen-2. Subcellular fractionation of membrane vesicles and subsequent coimmunoprecipitation of individual γ-secretase components revealed that interactions among all proteins occurred in the Golgi/ trans-Golgi network (TGN) compartments. Furthermore, incubation of the Golgi/TGN-enriched vesicles resulted in de novo generation of amyloid β-protein and APP intracellular domain. Immunofluorescent staining of the individual γ-secretase components supported our biochemical evidence that the γ-secretase components assemble into the proteolytically active γ-secretase complex in the Golgi/TGN compartment.

Mutations at the P1 ′ position of Notch1 decrease intracellular domain stability rather than cleavage by γ-secretase

γ-Secretase is a unique protease which cleaves within the transmembrane domain of several substrate proteins. Among γ-secretase substrates are members of the Notch family of receptors and the amyloid precursor protein. In this study we used a cell-free Notch-cleavage assay and specific γ-secretase inhibitors to study the cleavage of Notch by γ-secretase. Using this assay, we found that, in contrast to previous reports, the presence of valine at the P1 ′ position of Notch1 is not required for γ-secretase cleavage. Our results suggest that the presence of valine at the N-terminus of the Notch intracellular domain cleavage product is important for its stability. Thus it appears that Notch cleavage is very similar to APP cleavage with respect to the lack of sequence specificity.

A Role for Presenilin 1 in Regulating the Delivery of Amyloid Precursor Protein to the Cell Surface

Presenilin 1 (PS1) and presenilin 2 play a critical role in the γ-secretase processing of amyloid precursor protein (APP) and Notch1. Here, we investigate maturation and intracellular trafficking of APP and other membrane proteins in cells expressing an experimental PS1 deletion mutant (ΔM1,2). Stable expression of ΔM1,2 impairs γ-secretase processing of Notch1 and delays Aβ secretion. Kinetic studies show enhanced O-glycosylation and sialylation of holo-APP and marked accumulation of APP COOH-terminal fragments (CTFs). Surface biotinylation, live staining, and trafficking studies show increased surface accumulation of holo-APP and CTFs in ΔM1,2 cells resulting from enhanced surface delivery of newly synthesized APP. Expression of a loss-of-function PS1 mutant (D385A) or incubation of cells with γ-secretase inhibitors also increases surface levels of holo-APP and CTFs. In contrast to APP, glycosylation and surface accumulation of another type I membrane protein, nicastrin, are markedly reduced in ΔM1,2 cells. Finally, expression of ΔM1,2 results in the increased assembly and surface expression of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, illustrating that PS1's influence on protein trafficking extends beyond APP and other type I membrane protein substrates of γ-secretase. Collectively, our findings provide evidence that PS1 regulates the glycosylation and intracellular trafficking of APP and select membrane proteins.

Activity-dependent isolation of the presenilin- gamma -secretase complex reveals nicastrin and a gamma substrate.

Presenilin heterodimers apparently contain the active site of gamma-secretase, a polytopic aspartyl protease involved in the transmembrane processing of both the Notch receptor and the amyloid-beta precursor protein. Although critical to embryonic development and the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease, this protease is difficult to characterize, primarily because it is a multicomponent complex of integral membrane proteins. Here the functional gamma-secretase complex was isolated by using an immobilized active site-directed inhibitor of the protease. Presenilin heterodimers and nicastrin bound specifically to this inhibitor under conditions tightly correlating with protease activity, whereas several other presenilin-interacting proteins (beta-catenin, calsenilin, and presenilin-associated protein) did not bind. Moreover, anti-nicastrin antibodies immunoprecipitated gamma-secretase activity from detergent-solubilized microsomes. Unexpectedly, C83, the major endogenous amyloid-beta precursor protein substrate of gamma-secretase, was also quantitatively associated with the complex. These results provide direct biochemical evidence that nicastrin is a member of the active gamma-secretase complex, indicate that beta-catenin, calsenilin, and presenilin-associated protein are not required for gamma activity, and suggest an unprecedented mechanism of substrate-protease interaction.

Cholesterol-Dependent γ-Secretase Activity in Buoyant Cholesterol-Rich Membrane Microdomains

Buoyant membrane fractions containing presenilin 1 (PS1), an essential component of the γ-secretase complex, and APP CTFβ, a γ-secretase substrate, can be isolated from cultured cells and brain by several different fractionation procedures that are compatible with in vitro γ-secretase assays. Analysis of these gradients for amyloid β protein (Aβ) and CTFγ production indicated that γ-secretase activity is predominantly localized in these buoyant membrane microdomains. Consistent with this localization, we find that γ-secretase activity is cholesterol dependent. Depletion of membrane cholesterol completely inhibits γ-secretase cleavage, which can be restored by cholesterol replacement. Thus, altering cholesterol levels may influence the development of Alzheimer's disease (AD) by influencing production and deposition of Aβ within cholesterol rich membrane microdomains.

Nicastrin Is Required for γ-Secretase Cleavage of the Drosophila Notch Receptor

Nicastrin is genetically linked to Notch/lin-12 signaling in C. elegans and is part of a large multiprotein complex along with Presenilin. Here we describe the isolation and characterization of Drosophila Nicastrin ( Nic) mutants. Nic mutants and tissue clones display characteristic Notch-like phenotypes. Genetic and inhibitor studies indicate a function for Nicastrin in the γ-secretase step of Notch processing, similar to Presenilin. Further, Nicastrin is genetically required for signaling from membrane-anchored activated Notch. In the absence of Nicastrin, Presenilin is destabilized and mature C-terminal subunits are absent. Nicastrin might recruit γ-secretase substrates into the proteolytic complex as a prerequisite for Presenilin maturation and active complex assembly.

Presenilins, γ-Secretase, and the Spatial Paradox

Just when it was looking as though presenilins were, in all likelihood, responsible for γ-secretase activity, new work by Cupers et al. cautions against making such conclusions. Although cleavage of amyloid precursor protein (APP) is decreased in presenilin 1(PS1)-deficient cells, and completely blocked in PS1- and PS2-doubly deficient cells, the authors looked at the subcellular compartments in which the γ-secretase activity, PS, and APP reside, and because their localizations did not completely coincide ("the spatial paradox"), concluded that PS proteins do not have γ-secretase activity. APP-C99-KK, an APP mutant designed to be an excellent substrate for γ-secretase and retained in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) where PS1 resides, colocalized with PS1 but was not proteolytically cleaved, indicating that PS1 alone did not have γ-secretase activity. APP-C99-KK-expressing cells treated with brefeldin A, which causes the Golgi complex to disassemble and fuse with the ER, led to the generation of Aβ peptide, a marker of γ-secretase activity, suggesting that some unknown protein or proteins that normally reside downstream in the Golgi complex are required for γ-secretase activity, most likely in the presence of PS1. P. Cupers, M. Bentahir, K. Craessaerts, I. Orlans, H. Vanderstichele, P. Saftig, B. De Strooper, W. Annaert, The discrepancy between presenilin subcellular localization and γ-secretase processing of amyloid precursor protein. J. Cell Biol. 154 , 731-740 (2001). [Abstract] [Full Text]

Presenilins, -Secretase, and the Spatial Paradox

Just when it was looking as though presenilins were, in all likelihood, responsible for γ-secretase activity, new work by Cupers et al. cautions against making such conclusions. Although cleavage of amyloid precursor protein (APP) is decreased in presenilin 1(PS1)-deficient cells, and completely blocked in PS1- and PS2-doubly deficient cells, the authors looked at the subcellular compartments in which the γ-secretase activity, PS, and APP reside, and because their localizations did not completely coincide ("the spatial paradox"), concluded that PS proteins do not have γ-secretase activity. APP-C99-KK, an APP mutant designed to be an excellent substrate for γ-secretase and retained in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) where PS1 resides, colocalized with PS1 but was not proteolytically cleaved, indicating that PS1 alone did not have γ-secretase activity. APP-C99-KK-expressing cells treated with brefeldin A, which causes the Golgi complex to disassemble and fuse with the ER, led to the generation of Aβ peptide, a marker of γ-secretase activity, suggesting that some unknown protein or proteins that normally reside downstream in the Golgi complex are required for γ-secretase activity, most likely in the presence of PS1.P. Cupers, M. Bentahir, K. Craessaerts, I. Orlans, H. Vanderstichele, P. Saftig, B. De Strooper, W. Annaert, The discrepancy between presenilin subcellular localization and γ-secretase processing of amyloid precursor protein. J. Cell Biol. 154, 731-740 (2001). [Abstract] [Full Text]

The first proline of PALP motif at the C terminus of presenilins is obligatory for stabilization, complex formation, and gamma-secretase activities of presenilins.

Mutations in presenilin (PS) genes cause early-onset familial Alzheimer's disease by increasing production of the amyloidogenic form of amyloid beta peptides ending at residue 42 (Abeta42). PS is an evolutionarily conserved multipass transmembrane protein, and all known PS proteins contain a proline-alanine-leucine-proline (PALP) motif starting at proline (P) 414 (amino acid numbering based on human PS2) at the C terminus. Furthermore, missense mutations that replace the first proline of PALP with leucine (P414L) lead to a loss-of-function of PS in Drosophila melanogaster and Caenorhabditis elegans. To elucidate the roles of the PALP motif in PS structure and function, we analyzed neuro2a as well as PS1/2 null fibroblast cell lines transfected with human PS harboring mutations at the PALP motif. P414L mutation in PS2 (and its equivalent in PS1) abrogated stabilization, high molecular weight complex formation, and entry to Golgi/trans-Golgi network of PS proteins, resulting in failure of Abeta42 overproduction on familial Alzheimer's disease mutant basis as well as of site-3 cleavage of Notch. These data suggest that the first proline of the PALP motif plays a crucial role in the stabilization and formation of the high molecular weight complex of PS, the latter being the active form with intramembrane proteolytic activities.