Prion adsorption to stainless steel is promoted by nickel and molybdenum.
Prions are infectious agents resulting from the conversion of a normal cellular protein, PrP(C), to a misfolded species, PrP(Sc). Iatrogenic transmission of prions is known from surgical procedures involving stainless steel materials. Here, it was shown that stainless steel containing nickel and molybdenum binds PrP(Sc) more efficiently and transmits infection to cells in culture to a higher degree than if these elements are not present. Furthermore, both nickel and molybdenum alone adsorbed PrP(Sc), and nickel powder could be used to extract PrP(Sc) from dilute solutions, thus providing a simple approach to concentration of PrP(Sc). The fact that nickel and molybdenum in steel alloys increased the binding affinity, and bound infectivity, of PrP(Sc) is an important issue to consider in the manufacture of surgical instruments and abattoir tools.
Luhr
Katarina M
KM
Department of Neuroscience, Retzius väg 8, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
Löw
Peter
P
Department of Neuroscience, Retzius väg 8, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
Taraboulos
Albert
A
Department of Molecular Biology, The Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem, Israel.
Bergman
Tomas
T
Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
Kristensson
Krister
K
Department of Neuroscience, Retzius väg 8, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
D000327:Adsorption; D000818:Animals; D013502:General Surgery / Q000295:instrumentation*; D006801:Humans; D008982:Molybdenum / Q000378:metabolism*; D009532:Nickel / Q000378:metabolism*; D017096:Prion Diseases / Q000635:transmission*; D011328:Prions / Q000378:metabolism*; D011485:Protein Binding; D013193:Stainless Steel
D011328:Prions; D013193:Stainless Steel; D009532:Nickel; D008982:Molybdenum