Is, indeed, the prion protein a Harlequin servant of "many" masters?
Tens of putative interacting partners of the cellular prion protein (PrP(C)) have been identified, yet the physiologic role of PrP(C) remains unclear. For the first time, however, a recent paper has demonstrated that the absence of PrP(C) produces a lethal phenotype. Starting from this evidence, here we discuss the validity of past and more recent literature supporting that, as part of protein platforms at the cell surface, PrP(C) may bridge extracellular matrix molecules and/or membrane proteins to intracellular signaling pathways.
Sorgato
M Catia
MC
Department of Biological Chemistry and CNR Institute of Neuroscience, University of Padova, Padova, Italy.
Peggion
Caterina
C
Bertoli
Alessandro
A
D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D018621:PrPC Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D015398:Signal Transduction
D018621:PrPC Proteins