Thermostability of mouse-passaged BSE and scrapie is independent of host PrP genotype: implications for the nature of the causal agents.
Five experimentally maintained strains of scrapie and BSE agents have been passaged in two PrP genotypes of mice. Brain macerates were autoclaved at 126 degrees C and the levels of surviving infectivity were measured by titration. There was a large difference in the survival properties of transmissible spongiform encephalopathy (TSE) infectivity between TSE strains. PrP genotype had little effect. Phenotypic properties of the TSE strains were not affected with the exception that with one strain (ME7), incubation periods of the heated sample were longer than the controls given equivalent doses. It is concluded that PrP is probably not responsible for differences in thermostability between strains. More likely, a host-independent molecule which differs in covalent structure between strains accounts for these properties.
Taylor
David M
DM
Neuropathogenesis Unit, Institute for Animal Health, West Mains Road, Edinburgh EH9 3JF, UK1.
Fernie
Karen
K
Neuropathogenesis Unit, Institute for Animal Health, West Mains Road, Edinburgh EH9 3JF, UK1.
Steele
Philip J
PJ
Neuropathogenesis Unit, Institute for Animal Health, West Mains Road, Edinburgh EH9 3JF, UK1.
McConnell
Irene
I
Neuropathogenesis Unit, Institute for Animal Health, West Mains Road, Edinburgh EH9 3JF, UK1.
Somerville
Robert A
RA
Neuropathogenesis Unit, Institute for Animal Health, West Mains Road, Edinburgh EH9 3JF, UK1.
D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000473:pathology; D002417:Cattle; D016643:Encephalopathy, Bovine Spongiform / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005838:Genotype; D006358:Hot Temperature; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D011328:Prions / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000235:genetics* / Q000472:pathogenicity; D012608:Scrapie / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012692:Serial Passage; D014774:Virulence
D011328:Prions