title: Properties of the cellular prion protein expressed in Xenopus oocytes.
abstract: The cellular prion protein (PrPC) from different species can be reproducibly expressed in Xenopus oocytes following injection of in vitro transcribed mRNAs. The level of PrPC accumulation increases with the amount of RNA injected and with the duration of incubation. PrPC expressed in oocytes is similar in size and abundance to PrPC protein in mouse brain and >100 ng of PrPC is expressed per oocyte allowing complete experiments to be carried out in single living cells. The protein is glycosylated, fully protease sensitive and expressed on the cell surface. Xenopus oocytes therefore provide a useful model system for the study of prion proteins and their associated disease processes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Strathclyde, SIBS, 27, Taylor Street, Glasgow G4 0NR, UK.
authors.forename: John G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Connolly
authors.forename: Roth J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Tate
authors.forename: Neil F
authors.initials: NF
authors.lastname: McLennan
authors.forename: Debbie
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Brown
authors.forename: Glenn C
authors.initials: GC
authors.lastname: Telling
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Fraser
authors.forename: Mark W
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Head
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D006224:Cricetinae; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D010450:Endopeptidases / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D006031:Glycosylation / Q000187:drug effects; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D023421:Models, Animal; D008970:Molecular Weight; D009865:Oocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D018621:PrPC Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D021381:Protein Transport / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013696:Temperature; D014982:Xenopus laevis / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D018621:PrPC Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D010450:Endopeptidases