Statements in which the resource exists as a subject.
PredicateObject
rdf:type
lifeskim:mentions
pubmed:issue
3
pubmed:dateCreated
2001-3-6
pubmed:abstractText
The prion protein (PrP), a glycolipid-anchored membrane glycoprotein, contains a conserved hydrophobic sequence that can span the lipid bilayer in either direction, resulting in two transmembrane forms designated (Ntm)PrP and (Ctm)PrP. Previous studies have shown that the proportion of (Ctm)PrP is increased by mutations in the membrane-spanning segment, and it has been hypothesized that (Ctm)PrP represents a key intermediate in the pathway of prion-induced neurodegeneration. To further test this idea, we have surveyed a number of mutations associated with familial prion diseases to determine whether they alter the proportions of (Ntm)PrP and (Ctm)PrP produced in vitro, in transfected cells, and in transgenic mice. For the in vitro experiments, PrP mRNA was translated in the presence of murine thymoma microsomes which, in contrast to the canine pancreatic microsomes used in previous studies, are capable of efficient glycolipidation. We confirmed that mutations within or near the transmembrane domain enhance the formation of (Ctm)PrP, and we demonstrate for the first time that this species contains a C-terminal glycolipid anchor, thus exhibiting an unusual, dual mode of membrane attachment. However, we find that pathogenic mutations in other regions of the molecule have no effect on the amounts of (Ctm)PrP and (Ntm)PrP, arguing against the proposition that transmembrane PrP plays an obligate role in the pathogenesis of prion diseases.
pubmed:grant
pubmed:language
eng
pubmed:journal
pubmed:citationSubset
IM
pubmed:chemical
pubmed:status
MEDLINE
pubmed:month
Jan
pubmed:issn
0021-9258
pubmed:author
pubmed:issnType
Print
pubmed:day
19
pubmed:volume
276
pubmed:owner
NLM
pubmed:authorsComplete
Y
pubmed:pagination
2212-20
pubmed:dateRevised
2007-11-14
pubmed:meshHeading
pubmed:year
2001
pubmed:articleTitle
Most pathogenic mutations do not alter the membrane topology of the prion protein.
pubmed:affiliation
Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri 63110, USA.
pubmed:publicationType
Journal Article, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.