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Title: PrP N-terminal domain triggers PrP{sup Sc}-like aggregation of Dpl

Journal Article · · Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications
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  1. Laboratoire Adaptation et Pathogenie des Micro-organismes, Universite Joseph Fourier, BP 170, 38042 Grenoble Cedex 9 (France)
  2. Institut de Biologie Structurale Jean-Pierre Ebel, 41 rue Jules Horowitz, 38027 Grenoble Cedex 1 (France)
  3. Unit of Virus Host Cell Interaction, UMR 5233 UJF-EMBL-CNRS, Carl-Ivar Braenden Building, 6 rue Jules Horowitz, BP 181, 38042 Grenoble Cedex (France)

Transmissible spongiform encephalopathies are fatal neurodegenerative disorders thought to be transmitted by self-perpetuating conformational conversion of a neuronal membrane glycoprotein (PrP{sup C}, for 'cellular prion protein') into an abnormal state (PrP{sup Sc}, for 'scrapie prion protein'). Doppel (Dpl) is a protein that shares significant biochemical and structural homology with PrP{sup C}. In contrast to its homologue PrP{sup C}, Dpl is unable to participate in prion disease progression or to achieve an abnormal PrP{sup Sc}-like state. We have constructed a chimeric mouse protein, composed of the N-terminal domain of PrP{sup C} (residues 23-125) and the C-terminal part of Dpl (residues 58-157). This chimeric protein displays PrP-like biochemical and structural features; when incubated in presence of NaCl, the {alpha}-helical monomer forms soluble {beta}-sheet-rich oligomers which acquire partial resistance to pepsin proteolysis in vitro, as do PrP oligomers. Moreover, the presence of aggregates akin to protofibrils is observed in soluble oligomeric species by electron microscopy.

OSTI ID:
21043578
Journal Information:
Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications, Vol. 365, Issue 3; Other Information: DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2007.10.202; PII: S0006-291X(07)02371-6; Copyright (c) 2007 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