Scrapie and cellular prion proteins share polypeptide epitopes.
Purified preparations of scrapie prions contain one major protein, PrP 27-30, and aggregates of rod-shaped structures. On the basis of the NH2-terminal amino acid sequence of PrP 27-30, a synthetic peptide (PrP-P1) was constructed. Monospecific rabbit antisera to PrP-P1 were found by immunoblotting to react with PrP 27-30 and its precursor (PrP 33-35Sc), as well as with a related protease-sensitive cellular homologue (PrP 33-35C). An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay showed that rabbit antiserum to PrP 27-30 was more reactive with PrP 27-30 than with PrP-P1; conversely, antiserum to PrP-P1 was more reactive with the peptide than with the prion proteins. In addition, antibodies to PrP-P1 decorate purified prion rods and stain amyloid plaques in scrapie-infected hamster brain. The peptide epitopes shared by PrP 27-30, PrP 33-35Sc, and PrP 33-35C clearly establish a relationship among these three proteins.
R A
RA
Barry
S B
SB
Kent
M P
MP
McKinley
R K
RK
Meyer
S J
SJ
DeArmond
L E
LE
Hood
S B
SB
Prusiner
D000682:Amyloid / Q000276:immunology; D000818:Animals; D000956:Antigens, Viral / Q000276:immunology; D001921:Brain / Q000382:microbiology; D001923:Brain Chemistry; D006224:Cricetinae; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D000939:Epitopes / Q000276:immunology; D007106:Immune Sera; D010455:Peptides / Q000276:immunology*; D011328:Prions / Q000276:immunology*; D012608:Scrapie / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000382:microbiology
D000682:Amyloid; D000956:Antigens, Viral; D000939:Epitopes; D007106:Immune Sera; D010455:Peptides; D011328:Prions