Real-time visualization of prion transport in single live cells using quantum dots

Journal Article · Fri Apr 09 00:00:00 EDT 2010 · Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/J.BBRC.2010.02.159· OSTI ID:22202450

Luo, Kan ^[1]; Li, Shu ^[2]; Xie, Min ^[3]; Wu, Di; Wang, WenXi; Chen, Rui; Huang, Liqin; Huang, Tao ^[1]; Pang, Daiwen ^[3]; Xiao, Gengfu ^[1]

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1. State Key Laboratory of Virology and Modern Virology Research Centre, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072 (China)
2. AIDS Research Centre, Institute of Pathogen Biology, Chinese Academy of Medical Science, Beijing 100730 (China)
3. College of Chemistry and Molecular Science, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072 (China)

Prion diseases are fatal neurodegenerative disorders resulting from structural conversion of the cellular isoform of PrP{sup C} to the infectious scrapie isoform PrP{sup Sc}. It is believed that such structural alteration may occur within the internalization pathway. However, there is no direct evidence to support this hypothesis. Employing quantum dots (QDs) as a probe, we have recorded a real-time movie demonstrating the process of prion internalization in a living cell for the first time. The entire internalization process can be divided into four discrete but connected stages. In addition, using methyl-beta-cyclodextrin to disrupt cell membrane cholesterol, we show that lipid rafts play an important role in locating cellular PrP{sup C} to the cell membrane and in initiating PrP{sup C} endocytosis.

• OSTI ID: 22202450
• Journal Information: Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications, Vol. 394, Issue 3; Other Information: Copyright (c) 2010 Elsevier Science B.V., Amsterdam, The Netherlands, All rights reserved.; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 0006-291X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES
CELL MEMBRANES
CHOLESTEROL
DISEASES
LIPIDS
OLIGOSACCHARIDES
QUANTUM DOTS