title: The functional links between prion protein and copper.
abstract: Prion diseases are fatal neurodegenerative disorders associated with the conversion of the cellular prion protein (PrPC) into a pathologic isoform. Although the physiological function of PrPC remains unknown, evidence relates PrPC to copper metabolism and oxidative stress as suggested by its copper-binding properties in the N-terminal octapeptide repeat region. This region also reduces copper ions in vitro, and this reduction ability is associated with the neuroprotection exerted by the octarepeat region against copper in vivo. In addition, the promoter region of the PrPC gene contains putative metal response elements suggesting it may be regulated by heavy metals. Here we address some of the evidence that support a physiological link between PrPC and copper. Also, in vivo experiments suggesting the physiological relevance of PrPC interaction with heparan sulfate proteoglycans are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Centro de Regulación Celular y Patología "Joaquin V. Luco" (CRCP), MIFAB, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile.
authors.forename: Lorena
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Varela-Nallar
authors.forename: Enrique M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Toledo
authors.forename: Marcelo A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Chacón
authors.forename: Nibaldo C
authors.initials: NC
authors.lastname: Inestrosa
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003300:Copper / Q000378:metabolism*; D019812:Heparan Sulfate Proteoglycans / Q000378:metabolism; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000502:physiology*; D018621:PrPC Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D017096:Prion Diseases / Q000378:metabolism; D011485:Protein Binding; D051381:Rats
chemical_list: D019812:Heparan Sulfate Proteoglycans; D018621:PrPC Proteins; D003300:Copper