title: Scrapie and cellular PrP isoforms are encoded by the same chromosomal gene.
abstract: PrP 27-30 is the major protein in purified preparations of scrapie agent. An almost complete PrP cDNA was used to select PrP-related genomic clones from normal hamster DNA. The gene contains a noncoding exon of 56 to 82 bp and a 2 kb coding exon, separated by a 10 kb intron. Transcription initiates at the same multiple sites in vivo and in vitro. The promoter lacks a TATA box and contains three repeats of the sequence GCCCCGCCC, which resembles the Sp1 binding site found in "housekeeping" genes. The PrP coding sequence encodes a presumptive amino-terminal signal peptide. The primary structure of PrP encoded by the gene of a healthy animal does not differ from that encoded by a cDNA from a scrapie-infected animal, suggesting that the different properties of PrP from normal and scrapie-infected brains are due to post-translational events.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Basler
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Oesch
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Scott
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Westaway
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wälchli
authors.forename: D F
authors.initials: DF
authors.lastname: Groth
authors.forename: M P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: McKinley
authors.forename: S B
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Prusiner
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Weissmann
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D001923:Brain Chemistry; D006224:Cricetinae / Q000235:genetics*; D004247:DNA / Q000032:analysis; D008647:Mesocricetus / Q000235:genetics*; D011061:Poly A / Q000235:genetics; D018622:PrP 27-30 Protein; D011328:Prions / Q000235:genetics*; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic; D011498:Protein Precursors / Q000096:biosynthesis; D011499:Protein Processing, Post-Translational; D021382:Protein Sorting Signals / Q000235:genetics; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics; D014764:Viral Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis
chemical_list: D011328:Prions; D011498:Protein Precursors; D021382:Protein Sorting Signals; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D014764:Viral Proteins; D018622:PrP 27-30 Protein; D011061:Poly A; D004247:DNA