Skip to main content
ARS Home » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #195673
Title: SONICATION INDUCED INTERMEDIATE IN PRION CONVERSION

Author
item Zukas, Audrius
item Carter, John

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/21/2006
Publication Date: 6/21/2006
Citation: Zukas, A.A., Carter, J.M. 2006. Sonication induced intermediate in prion conversion. [Abstract]. ACS National Meeting. Poster BIOL55

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: In vivo conversion of cellular prion protein (PrPC) to its abnormal pathogenic isoform (PrPres)is associated with conformational transition of a-helices into B-sheets. Protein misfolding cyclic amplification(PMCA)probably closely mimics this conversion in vitro. This technique involves sonication and incubation of PrPC with trace amounts of PrPres, but very little is known about the mechanism. We have observed that hamster PrPC undergoes structural changes on ultrasonic treatment. Assayed by Western blot after native gel electrophoresis or native ELISA, PrPC concentration decreases as a function of sonication time. However, by Western after denaturing SDS-PAGE, the concentration of PrPC does not change. This suggests the presence of a third stable PrP conformer, which may be intermediate in the conversion of PrPC to PrPres by PMCA. The new conformer undergoes conversion to PrPres by PMCA more readily than PrPC.