title: [Elusive function of prion protein].
abstract: Prion protein is a highly conserved glycoprotein tethered to cell membranes by a glycosylphosphatidylinositol(GPI) anchor that is expressed in many tissues including brain, heart, and muscle. Although misfolding of the cellular prion protein (PrP(c)) into alternative form, denoted (PrP(Sc)), is a key event in prion infections, the normal function of PrPc remains to be clearly defined. Many PrP(c)-binding proteins have been identified, and several roles for PrP(c) have been suggested, including oxidative stress, cell adhesion, copper uptake, cell survival, protection against oxidative stress, but authentication of these interactions in functional assays is incomplete. In this article, we pick out some researches that pertain to the biology of mammalian prion protein functions.
authors: Department of Neurophysiology, Tokyo Medical University.
authors: Naomi S
authors: NS
authors: Hachiya
authors: Kiyotoshi
authors: K
authors: Kaneko
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002462:Cell Membrane; D002470:Cell Survival; D017261:Glycosylphosphatidylinositols; D006801:Humans; D018384:Oxidative Stress; D018621:PrPC Proteins / Q000472:pathogenicity / Q000502:physiology; D017096:Prion Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D011328:Prions / Q000737:chemistry / Q000502:physiology*; D017510:Protein Folding; D015398:Signal Transduction; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase / Q000378:metabolism; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D017261:Glycosylphosphatidylinositols; D018621:PrPC Proteins; D011328:Prions; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase