Cellular isoform of the scrapie agent protein participates in lymphocyte activation.
The scrapie agent protein (Sp33-37 or PrPSc) is the disease-associated isoform of a normal cellular membrane protein (Cp33-37 or PrPC) of unknown function. We report that normal human lymphocytes and lymphoid cell lines, but not erythrocytes or granulocytes, express PrPC mRNA and protein. PrPC is detectable on the surface of lymphocytes; the surface immunoreactivity is sensitive to phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C, indicating glycosyl-phosphatidylinositol membrane anchorage. Lymphocyte PrPC surface abundance is increased by cell activation, and polyclonal antibodies to PrPC suppress mitogen-induced activation. We conclude that PrPC is a lymphocyte surface molecule that may participate in cell activation.
Cashman
N R
NR
Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Quebec, Canada.
Loertscher
R
R
Nalbantoglu
J
J
Shaw
I
I
Kascsak
R J
RJ
Bolton
D C
DC
Bendheim
P E
PE
D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D002460:Cell Line; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000382:microbiology; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D006017:Glycolipids / Q000378:metabolism; D017261:Glycosylphosphatidylinositols; D006098:Granulocytes / Q000382:microbiology; D006801:Humans; D007106:Immune Sera; D007700:Kinetics; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology* / Q000382:microbiology; D010716:Phosphatidylinositols / Q000378:metabolism; D018620:PrPSc Proteins; D011328:Prions / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics; D014764:Viral Proteins / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D006017:Glycolipids; D017261:Glycosylphosphatidylinositols; D007106:Immune Sera; D010716:Phosphatidylinositols; D018620:PrPSc Proteins; D011328:Prions; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D014764:Viral Proteins