GPI anchoring facilitates propagation and spread of misfolded Sup35 aggregates in mammalian cells.
Prion diseases differ from other amyloid-associated protein misfolding diseases (e.g. Alzheimer's) because they are naturally transmitted between individuals and involve spread of protein aggregation between tissues. Factors underlying these features of prion diseases are poorly understood. Of all protein misfolding disorders, only prion diseases involve the misfolding of a glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored protein. To test whether GPI anchoring can modulate the propagation and spread of protein aggregates, a GPI-anchored version of the amyloidogenic yeast protein Sup35NM (Sup35GPI) was expressed in neuronal cells. Treatment of cells with Sup35NM fibrils induced the GPI anchor-dependent formation of self-propagating, detergent-insoluble, protease-resistant, prion-like aggregates of Sup35GPI. Live-cell imaging showed intercellular spread of Sup35GPI aggregation to involve contact between aggregate-positive and aggregate-negative cells and transfer of Sup35GPI from aggregate-positive cells. These data demonstrate GPI anchoring facilitates the propagation and spread of protein aggregation and thus may enhance the transmissibility and pathogenesis of prion diseases relative to other protein misfolding diseases.
Speare
Jonathan O
JO
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Rocky Mountain Laboratories, Laboratory of Persistent Viral Diseases, Hamilton, MT 59840, USA.
Offerdahl
Danielle K
DK
Hasenkrug
Aaron
A
Carmody
Aaron B
AB
Baron
Gerald S
GS
D000818:Animals; D002460:Cell Line; D017261:Glycosylphosphatidylinositols / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism*; D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D009474:Neurons / Q000378:metabolism; D010454:Peptide Termination Factors / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D011328:Prions / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D017510:Protein Folding; D055503:Protein Multimerization; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D012441:Saccharomyces cerevisiae / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D029701:Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D014162:Transfection
D017261:Glycosylphosphatidylinositols; D010454:Peptide Termination Factors; D011328:Prions; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins; C068068:SUP35 protein, S cerevisiae; D029701:Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins; D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins