title: Alpha2-macroglobulin is a potential facilitator of prion protein transformation.
abstract: Cellular prion protein changes conformation during transformation to an infectious scrapie isoform. One measure of transformation is the development of partial resistance to protease treatment. A fraction of human and bovine plasma was identified containing activity that facilitates transformation of cellular prion protein to a protease resistant isoform in the presence of RNA in the absence of seeded scrapie prion protein. Purification of proteins from this fraction led to the identification of alpha2-macroglobulin as an active component suggesting that it may facilitate conformational changes in prion protein in spontaneous forms of prion disease.
authors: Q-RNA, Inc., Audubon Business and Technology Center. 3960 Broadway, Suite 440C, New York, NY, 10032. USA.
authors: Victor
authors: V
authors: Adler
authors: Eliot
authors: E
authors: Davidowitz
authors: Patricia
authors: P
authors: Tamburi
authors: Pedro
authors: P
authors: Rojas
authors: Abraham
authors: A
authors: Grossman
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D006224:Cricetinae; D006801:Humans; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D011328:Prions / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000378:metabolism; D000511:alpha-Macroglobulins / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D011328:Prions; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D000511:alpha-Macroglobulins