Paradoxical shortening of scrapie incubation times by expression of prion protein transgenes derived from long incubation period mice.
Prolonged incubation times for experimental scrapie in I/LnJ mice are dictated by a dominant gene linked to the prion protein gene (Prn-p). Transgenic mice were analyzed to discriminate between an effect of the I/LnJ Prn-pb allele and a distinct incubation time locus designated Prn-i. Paradoxically, 4 independent Prn-pb transgenic mouse lines had scrapie incubation times shorter than nontransgenic controls, instead of the anticipated prolonged incubation periods. Aberrant or overexpression of the Prn-pb transgenes may dictate abbreviated incubation times, masking genuine Prn-p/Prn-i congruence; alternatively, a discrete Prn-i gene lies adjacent to Prn-p.
Westaway
D
D
Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco 94143.
Mirenda
C A
CA
Foster
D
D
Zebarjadian
Y
Y
Scott
M
M
Torchia
M
M
Yang
S L
SL
Serban
H
H
DeArmond
S J
SJ
Ebeling
C
C
D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism; D015870:Gene Expression; D051379:Mice; D008822:Mice, Transgenic; D018620:PrPSc Proteins; D011328:Prions / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D012608:Scrapie / Q000503:physiopathology*; D013997:Time Factors; D014764:Viral Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism
D018620:PrPSc Proteins; D011328:Prions; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D014764:Viral Proteins