This gene encodes an integral membrane glycoprotein that functions as an aspartic protease. The encoded protein cleaves amyloid precursor protein into amyloid beta peptide, which is a critical step in the etiology of Alzheimer's disease and Down syndrome. The protein precursor is further processed into an active mature peptide. Alternative splicing results in multiple transcript variants.,BACE2,AEPLC,ALP56,ASP1,ASP21,BAE2,CDA13,CEAP1,DRAP,Cell Biology & Developmental Biology,Ubiquitin,Neuroscience,Neurodegenerative Diseases,Amyloid Plaque and Neurofibrillary Tangle Formation in Alzheimer's Disease,BACE2