Immunoreactivity of a synthetic pentadecapeptide corresponding to the N-terminal region of the scrapie prion protein.
A pentadecapeptide with an amino acid sequence corresponding to the amino-terminal region of the scrapie prion protein was synthesized. Immunization of a rabbit with the peptide conjugated with ovalbumin induced specific antibodies. The antibodies reacted with all three of the major polypeptides in a proteinase K-treated fraction obtained from brains of mice infected with the Obihiro strain of scrapie agent. Some peptides in the proteinase-untreated fraction also shared antigenicity with the three major polypeptides. Specific polypeptides were also detected by the antiserum in a fraction prepared from spleens, but only two of the three major polypeptides were found and the amounts of the polypeptides were less than in brain.
D000818:Animals; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000096:biosynthesis; D000956:Antigens, Viral / Q000276:immunology*; D001923:Brain Chemistry; D051379:Mice; D010455:Peptides / Q000032:analysis / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000276:immunology*; D011328:Prions / Q000276:immunology*; D012608:Scrapie / Q000378:metabolism / Q000382:microbiology; D013154:Spleen / Q000032:analysis; D014764:Viral Proteins / Q000032:analysis / Q000276:immunology*
D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D000956:Antigens, Viral; D010455:Peptides; D011328:Prions; D014764:Viral Proteins