Considerable interest in IDE has been stimulated due to the discovery that IDE can degrade amyloid beta (Aβ), a peptide implicated in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease [REF].
Reports of IDE localized to the cytosol and peroxisomes[REF] have raised concerns regarding how the protease could degrade endogenous Aβ. Several studies have detected insulin-degrading activity in the conditioned media of cultured cells,[REF][REF] suggesting the permeability of the cell membrane and thus possible release of IDE from leaky cells.