A novel, resistance-linked ovine PrP variant and its equivalent mouse variant modulate the in vitro cell-free conversion of rPrP to PrP(res).
Prion diseases are associated with the conversion of the normal cellular prion protein, PrP(c), to the abnormal, disease-associated form, PrP(Sc). This conversion can be mimicked in vitro by using a cell-free conversion assay. It has recently been shown that this assay can be modified to use bacterial recombinant PrP as substrate and mimic the in vivo transmission characteristics of rodent scrapie. Here, it is demonstrated that the assay replicates the ovine polymorphism barriers of scrapie transmission. In addition, the recently identified ovine PrP variant ARL(168)Q, which is associated with resistance of sheep to experimental BSE, modulates the cell-free conversion of ovine recombinant PrP to PrP(res) by three different types of PrP(Sc), reducing conversion efficiencies to levels similar to those of the ovine resistance-associated ARR variant. Also, the equivalent variant in mice (L(164)) is resistant to conversion by 87V scrapie. Together, these results suggest a significant role for this position and/or amino acid in conversion.
Kirby
Louise
L
Institute for Animal Health, Compton Laboratories, Newbury, Berkshire RG20 7NN, UK.
Goldmann
Wilfred
W
Neuropathogenesis Unit, Institute for Animal Health, Ogston Building, West Mains Road, Edinburgh EH9 3JF, UK.
Houston
Fiona
F
Institute for Animal Health, Compton Laboratories, Newbury, Berkshire RG20 7NN, UK.
Gill
Andrew C
AC
Institute for Animal Health, Compton Laboratories, Newbury, Berkshire RG20 7NN, UK.
Manson
Jean C
JC
Neuropathogenesis Unit, Institute for Animal Health, Ogston Building, West Mains Road, Edinburgh EH9 3JF, UK.
D019943:Amino Acid Substitution; D000818:Animals; D002474:Cell-Free System; D004591:Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; D007113:Immunity, Innate; D015151:Immunoblotting; D051379:Mice; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D018621:PrPC Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics; D018620:PrPSc Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics; D017096:Prion Diseases / Q000235:genetics*; D011328:Prions / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000235:genetics*; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics; D012756:Sheep
D018621:PrPC Proteins; D018620:PrPSc Proteins; D011328:Prions; D011994:Recombinant Proteins