Protease-resistant and detergent-insoluble prion protein is not necessarily associated with prion infectivity.

PrPSc, an abnormal isoform of PrPC, is the only known component of the prion, an agent causing fatal neurodegenerative disorders such as bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) and Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD). It has been postulated that prion diseases propagate by the conversion of detergent-soluble and protease-sensitive PrPC molecules into protease-resistant and insoluble PrPSc molecules by a mechanism in which PrPSc serves as a template. We show here that the chemical chaperone dimethyl sulfoxide (Me2SO) can partially inhibit the aggregation of either PrPSc or that of its protease-resistant core PrP27-30. Following Me2SO removal by methanol precipitation, solubilized PrP27-30 molecules aggregated into small and amorphous structures that did not resemble the rod configuration observed when scrapie brain membranes were extracted with Sarkosyl and digested with proteinase K. Interestingly, aggregates derived from Me2SO-solubilized PrP27-30 presented less than 1% of the prion infectivity obtained when the same amount of PrP27-30 in rods was inoculated into hamsters. These results suggest that the conversion of PrPC into protease-resistant and detergent-insoluble PrP molecules is not the only crucial step in prion replication. Whether an additional requirement is the aggregation of newly formed proteinase K-resistant PrP molecules into uniquely structured aggregates remains to be established.     

Scrapie-infected murine neuroblastoma cells produce protease-resistant prion proteins.

Scrapie and Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease are transmissible, degenerative neurological diseases caused by prions. Considerable evidence argues that prions contain protease-resistant sialoglycoproteins, designated PrPSc, encoded by a cellular gene. The prion protein (PrP) gene also encodes a normal cellular protein designated PrPC. We established clonal cell lines which support the replication of mouse scrapie or Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease prions. Mouse neuroblastoma N2a cells were exposed to mouse scrapie prions and subsequently cloned. After limited proteinase K digestion, three PrP-immunoreactive proteins with apparent molecular masses ranging between 20 and 30 kilodaltons were detected in extracts of scrapie-infected N2a cells by Western (immuno-) blotting. The authenticity of these PrPSc molecules was established by using monospecific antiserum raised against a synthetic peptide corresponding to a portion of the prion protein. Those clones synthesizing PrPSc molecules possessed scrapie prion infectivity as measured by bioassay; clones without PrPSc failed to demonstrate infectivity. Detection of PrPSc molecules in scrapie-infected N2a cells supports the contention that PrPSc is a component of the infectious scrapie particle and opens new approaches to the study of prion diseases.     

Identification of cellular proteins binding to the scrapie prion protein

The scrapie prion protein (PrPSc) is an abnormal isoform of the cellular protein PrPc. PrPSc is found only in animals with scrapie or other prion diseases. The invariable association of PrPSc with infectivity suggests that PrPSc is a component of the infectious particle. In this study, we report the identification of two proteins from hamster brain of 45 and 110 kDa (denoted PrP ligands Pli 45 and Pli 110) which were able to bind to PrP 27-30, the protease-resistant core of PrPSc on ligand blots. Pli 45 and Pli 110 also bound PrPC. Both Pli's had isoelectric points of approximately 5. The dissociation rate constant of the Pli 45/PrP 27-30 complex was 3 x 10(-6) s-1. Amino acid and protein sequence analyses were performed on purified Pli 45. Both the composition and the sequence were almost identical with those predicted for mouse glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP). Furthermore, antibodies to Pli 45 reacted with recombinant GFAP. The identification of proteins which interact with the PrP isoforms in normal and diseased brain may provide new insights into the function of PrPC and into the molecular mechanisms underlying prion diseases.     

Chimeric prion protein expression in cultured cells and transgenic mice.

The efficient expression of exogenous prion protein (PrP) molecules in mouse neuroblastoma cells that are chronically infected with murine scrapie prions (ScN2a cells; Butler, D.A., et al., 1988, J. Virol. 62, 1558-1564) and in transgenic mice is described. This technology allows investigation of the PrP molecule for structural regions involved in determining species specificity, as well as ablation experiments designed to address the functionality of particular regions of the PrP molecule. Previous reports demonstrated that the PrP gene specifies the host range for susceptibility of transgenic animals to prions (Scott, M., et al., 1989, Cell 59, 847-857; Prusiner, S.B., et al., 1990, Cell 63, 673-686). Consistent with these results, we showed that Syrian hamster (SHa) PrP is ineligible for efficient conversion to PrPSc in ScN2a cells. By constructing a series of chimeric mouse (Mo)/SHaPrP genes, we developed an epitopically tagged functional variant of the MoPrP gene, which can efficiently form protease-resistant PrP molecules upon expression in ScN2a cells. The presence of a defined epitope for an SHa-specific monoclonal antibody allows the products of this chimeric gene to be discriminated from endogenous MoPrP and creates a useful reagent for exploring structure/function relationships via targeted mutagenesis. In addition, we developed a transgenic mouse expression vector by manipulation of an SHaPrP cosmid clone. This vector permits the efficient expression of foreign PrP genes in the brains of transgenic animals, enabling pathological consequences of in vitro mutagenesis to be studied.     

Epitope mapping of the Syrian hamster prion protein utilizing chimeric and mutant genes in a vaccinia virus expression system.

The cellular prion protein (PrPc) is a host-encoded sialoglycoprotein bound to the external surface of the cell membrane by a glycosyl phosphatidylinositol anchor. A posttranslationally modified PrP isoform (PrPSc) is a component of the infectious particle causing scrapie and the other prion diseases. mAb have been raised against the protease-resistant core of Syrian hamster (SHa) PrPSc designated PrP 27-30. To map the epitopes within PrP reacting to these antibodies, we have expressed wild-type, chimeric mouse (Mo)/SHa and mutant MoPrP genes using recombinant vaccinia virus systems. The fidelity of the expression of recombinant PrPC was examined using vaccinia viruses expressing SHa-PrPC. It is full length, possesses Asn-linked carbohydrates and is attached to the external surface of the cell membrane by a glycosyl phosphatidylinositol anchor that is sensitive to cleavage by phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C. We have tested 18 mAb for their ability to bind to chimeric prion proteins on immunoblots. Three distinct epitopes were identified that mapped to amino acid differences between SHa and MoPrP sequences. The first epitope, recognized by three of the antibodies tested, was defined by methionines at amino acids 108 and 111 in the mouse protein. The second epitope was dependent upon the presence of asparagines at positions 154 and 174 in MoPrP and was recognized by four of the antibodies tested. The third epitope mapped to a single amino acid substitution at residue 138 in MoPrP. mAb raised against SHaPrP 27-30 specific for this epitope are able to bind MoPrPC which has a single amino acid change (Ile to Met) at position 138. Eleven of the 18 antibodies tested mapped to this immunodominant epitope. It is located within a postulated amphipathic helix, a structure associated with immunodominant Ag. Inasmuch as PrPC, in its native form on the cell surface, is detected by the mAb 13A5 (a prototypic antibody of the immunodominant third epitope class), it is likely that this epitope is accessible in the native conformation of this protein.     

High prion and PrPSc levels but delayed onset of disease in scrapie-inoculated mice heterozygous for a disrupted PrP gene.

BACKGROUND: It has been proposed that the prion, the infectious agent of transmissible spongiform encephalopathies, is PrPSc, a post-translationally modified form of the normal host protein PrPC. We showed previously that mice devoid of PrPC (Prn-p0/0) are completely resistant to scrapie. We now report on the unexpected response of heterozygous (Prn-p0/+) mice to scrapie infection. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Prn-p0/+, Prn-p0/0 and Prn-p+/+ mice were obtained from crosses of Prn-p0/+ mice. Mice were inoculated intracerebrally with mouse-adapted scrapie agent and the clinical progression of the disease recorded. Mice were sacrificed at intervals, PrPSc was determined as protease-resistant PrP and the prion titer by the incubation time assay. RESULTS: Prn-p0/+ mice, which have about half the normal level of PrPC in their brains, show enhanced resistance to scrapie, as manifested by a significant delay in onset and progression of clinical disease. However, while in wild type animals an increase in prion titer and PrPSc levels is followed within weeks by scrapie symptoms and death, heterozygous Prn-p0/+ mice remain free of symptoms for many months despite similar levels of scrapie infectivity and PrPSc. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings extend previous reports showing an inverse relationship between PrP expression level and incubation time for scrapie. However, contrary to expectation, overall accumulation of PrPSc and prions to a high level do not necessarily lead to clinical disease. These findings raise the question whether high titers of prion infectivity could also persist for long periods under natural circumstances in the absence of clinical symptoms.     

KDEL-tagged anti-prion intrabodies impair PrP lysosomal degradation and inhibit scrapie infectivity

Transmissible spongiform encephalopathy or prion diseases are fatal neurodegenerative disorders characterized by the conversion of the cellular prion protein (PrPC) into the infectious scrapie isoform (PrPSc). We have recently demonstrated that anti-prion intrabodies targeted to the lumen of the endoplasmic reticulum provide a simple and effective means to inhibit the transport of PrPC to the cell surface. Here, we report that they completely block the traffic of mature full-length PrPC molecules, impair prion lysosomal degradation, and interfere with the early phase of scrapie formation. Since anti-prion intrabodies efficiently block PrPSc accumulation in vitro, we investigated whether they could also antagonize scrapie infectivity in vivo. We found that mice intracerebrally injected with KDEL-8H4-NGF-differentiated PC12 cells infected with scrapie neither develop scrapie clinical signs nor brain damage. Furthermore, no protease-resistant PrPSc is detectable in brains of inoculated animals. These results indicate that anti-prion intrabody strategy may be effective against prion infection.     

Intracellular accumulation of the cellular prion protein after mutagenesis of its Asn-linked glycosylation sites

The cellular isoform of the prion protein (PrPC) is a sialoglycoprotein bound almost exclusively on the external surface of the plasma membrane by a glycosyl phosphatidylinositol anchor. The deduced amino acid sequence of Syrian hamster PrPC identifies two potential sites for the addition of Asn-linked carbohydrates at amino acids 181-183 (Asn-Ile-Thr) and 197-199 (Asn-Phe-Thr). We have altered these sites by replacing the threonine residues with alanine and expressed the mutant proteins transiently in CV1 cells utilizing a mutagenesis vector with the T7 promoter located upstream from the PrP gene. The T7 RNA polymerase was supplied by infection with a recombinant vaccinia virus. The 3 mutant proteins (PrPAla183, PrPAla199 and PrPAla183/199) have a reduced relative molecular weight compared to wild-type (wt) PrP. Deglycosylation as well as synthesis in the presence of tunicamycin reduced the relative molecular weight of all the PrP species to that of the double mutant PrPAla183/199. Our results indicate that both single-site mutant prion proteins are glycosylated at non-mutated sites and they suggest that both potential sites for Asn-linked glycosylation are utilized in wt PrPC. Immunofluorescence studies demonstrate that while wt PrPC localizes to the cell surface, all the mutant PrP molecules accumulate intracellularly. The site of accumulation of PrPAla183 is probably prior to the mid-Golgi stack since this protein does not acquire resistance to endoglycosidase H. Whether the intracellular locations of the mutant PrPC species are the same as those identified for the scrapie isoform of the prion protein (PrPSc) remains to be established.     

Prion protein gene expression in cultured cells

A single copy gene encodes both the scrapie (PrPSc) and cellular (PrPC) isoforms of the prion protein (PrP). Cultured cell lines were found to express the endogenous PrP mRNA at levels comparable to those observed in the brains of adult rodents; however, these cells were invariably found to express greatly reduced levels of PrP. In all the cell lines examined, PrP was undetectable by Western immunoblot analysis. These cells were also poor recipients for expression constructs linking the hamster PrP gene open reading frame to several strong eukaryotic promoters; stable clones derived by transfection of these expression vectors failed to show elevated expression of PrP. When extremely high levels of PrP mRNA were produced using either an insect baculovirus or a mammalian SV40 based vector, significant quantities of PrP were produced, although in both cases the proteins were apparently processed differently from the PrPC observed in brains. In an expression system using an SV40 late promoter vector in monkey COS-7 cells, a significant fraction of PrP was transported to the cell surface where PrPC is found in vivo. PrP synthesized by the baculovirus vector failed to induce scrapie in hamsters and did not possess the characteristics of the PrPSc isoform associated with infectivity. The SV40 late promoter vector system may permit experiments designed to elucidate the role of PrPSc during scrapie infection as well as the function of PrPC in normal metabolism.     

A naturally occurring C-terminal fragment of the prion protein (PrP) delays disease and acts as a dominant-negative inhibitor of PrPSc formation

The cellular prion protein (PrPC) undergoes constitutive proteolytic cleavage between residues 111/112 to yield a soluble N-terminal fragment (N1) and a membrane-anchored C-terminal fragment (C1). The C1 fragment represents the major proteolytic fragment of PrPC in brain and several cell types. To explore the role of C1 in prion disease, we generated Tg(C1) transgenic mice expressing this fragment (PrP(Δ23-111)) in the presence and absence of endogenous PrP. In contrast to several other N-terminally deleted forms of PrP, the C1 fragment does not cause a spontaneous neurological disease in the absence of endogenous PrP. Tg(C1) mice inoculated with scrapie prions remain healthy and do not accumulate protease-resistant PrP, demonstrating that C1 is not a substrate for conversion to PrPSc (the disease-associated isoform). Interestingly, Tg(C1) mice co-expressing C1 along with wild-type PrP (either endogenous or encoded by a second transgene) become ill after scrapie inoculation, but with a dramatically delayed time course compared with mice lacking C1. In addition, accumulation of PrPSc was markedly slowed in these animals. Similar effects were produced by a shorter C-terminal fragment of PrP(Δ23-134). These results demonstrate that C1 acts as dominant-negative inhibitor of PrPSc formation and accumulation of neurotoxic forms of PrP. Thus, C1, a naturally occurring fragment of PrPC, might play a modulatory role during the course of prion diseases. In addition, enhancing production of C1, or exogenously administering this fragment, represents a potential therapeutic strategy for the treatment of prion diseases.     

Differential release of cellular and scrapie prion proteins from cellular membranes by phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C

The abnormal isoform of the scrapie prion protein PrPSc is both a host-derived protein and a component of the infectious agent causing scrapie. PrPSc and the normal cellular isoform PrPC have different physical properties that apparently arise from a posttranslational event. Both PrP isoforms are covalently modified at the carboxy terminus by a glycoinositol phospholipid. Using preparations of dissociated cells derived from normal and scrapie-infected hamster brain tissue, we find that the majority of PrPC is released from membranes by phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C (PIPLC), while PrPSc is resistant to release. In contrast, purified denatured PrP 27-30 (which is formed from PrPSc during purification by proteolysis of the amino terminus) is completely cleaved by PIPLC. Incubation of the cell preparations with proteinase K cleaves PrPSc to form PrP 27-30, demonstrating that PrPSc is accessible to added enzymes. We have also developed a protocol involving biotinylation that gives a quantitative estimate of the fraction of a protein exposed to the cell exterior. Using this strategy, we find that a large portion of PrPSc in the cell preparations reacts with a membrane-impermeant biotinylation reagent. Whether alternative membrane anchoring of PrPSc, inaccessibility of the glycoinositol phospholipid anchor to PIPLC, or binding to another cellular component is responsible for the differential release of prion proteins from cells remains to be determined.     

Proteinase K-sensitive disease-associated ovine prion protein revealed by conformation-dependent immunoassay

PrPSc [abnormal disease-specific conformation of PrP (prion-related protein)] accumulates in prion-affected individuals in the form of amorphous aggregates. Limited proteolysis of PrPSc results in a protease-resistant core of PrPSc of molecular mass of 27-30 kDa (PrP27-30). Aggregated forms of PrP co-purify with prion infectivity, although infectivity does not always correlate with the presence of PrP27-30. This suggests that discrimination between PrPC (normal cellular PrP) and PrPSc by proteolysis may underestimate the repertoire and quantity of PrPSc subtypes. We have developed a CDI (conformation-dependent immunoassay) utilizing time-resolved fluorescence to study the conformers of disease-associated PrP in natural cases of sheep scrapie, without using PK (proteinase K) treatment to discriminate between PrPC and PrPSc. The capture-detector CDI utilizes N-terminal- and C-terminal-specific anti-PrP monoclonal antibodies that recognize regions of the prion protein differentially buried or exposed depending on the extent of denaturation of the molecule. PrPSc was precipitated from scrapie-infected brain stem and cerebellum tissue following sarkosyl extraction, with or without the use of sodium phosphotungstic acid, and native and denatured PrPSc detected by CDI. PrPSc was detectable in brain tissue from homozygous VRQ (V136 R154 Q171) and ARQ (A136 R154 Q171) scrapie-infected sheep brains. The highest levels of PrPSc were found in homozygous VRQ scrapie-infected brains. The quantity of PrPSc was significantly reduced, up to 90% in some cases, when samples were treated with PK prior to the CDI. Collectively, our results show that the level of PrPSc in brain samples from cases of natural scrapie display genotypic differences and that a significant amount of this material is PK-sensitive.     

Evidence for synthesis of scrapie prion proteins in the endocytic pathway.

Infectious scrapie prions are composed largely, if not entirely, of an abnormal isoform of the prion protein (PrP) which is designated PrPSc. A chromosomal gene encodes both the cellular prion protein (PrPC) as well as PrPSc. Pulse-chase experiments with scrapie-infected cultured cells indicate that PrPSc is formed by a post-translational process. PrP is translated in the endoplasmic reticulum, modified as it passes through the Golgi, and is transported to the cell surface. Release of nascent PrP from the cell surface by phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C or hydrolysis with dispase prevented PrPSc synthesis. At 18 degrees C, the synthesis of PrPSc was inhibited under conditions that other investigators report a blockage of endosomal fusion with lysosomes. Our results suggest that PrPSc synthesis occurs after PrP transits from the cell surface. Whether all of the PrP molecules have an equal likelihood to be converted into PrPSc or only a distinct subset is eligible for conversion remains to be established. Identifying the subcellular compartment(s) of PrPSc synthesis should be of considerable importance in defining the molecular changes that distinguish PrPSc from PrPC.     

Isolation and characterization of a proteinase K-sensitive PrPSc fraction

Recent studies have shown that a sizable fraction of PrPSc present in prion-infected tissues is, contrary to previous conceptions, sensitive to digestion by proteinase K (PK). This finding has important implications in the context of diagnosis of prion disease, as PK has been extensively used in attempts to distinguish between PrPSc and PrPC. Even more importantly, PK-sensitive PrPSc (sPrPSc) might be essential to understand the process of conversion and aggregation of PrPC leading to infectivity. We have isolated a fraction of sPrPSc. This material was obtained by differential centrifugation at an intermediate speed of Syrian hamster PrPSc obtained through a conventional procedure based on ultracentrifugation in the presence of detergents. PK-sensitive PrPSc is completely degraded under standard conditions (50 mug/mL of proteinase K at 37 degrees C for 1 h) and can also be digested with trypsin. Centrifugation in a sucrose gradient showed sPrPSc to correspond to the lower molecular weight fractions of the continuous range of oligomers that constitute PrPSc. PK-sensitive PrPSc has the ability to convert PrPC into protease-resistant PrPSc, as assessed by the protein misfolding cyclic amplification assay (PMCA). Limited proteolysis of sPrPSc using trypsin allows for identification of regions that are particularly susceptible to digestion, i.e., are partially exposed and flexible; we have identified as such the regions around residues K110, R136, R151, K220, and R229. PK-sensitive PrPSc isolates should prove useful for structural studies to help understand fundamental issues of the molecular biology of PrPSc and in the quest to design tests to detect preclinical prion disease.     

The AGAAAAGA palindrome in PrP is required to generate a productive PrPSc-PrPC complex that leads to prion propagation

The molecular hallmark of prion disease is the conversion of normal prion protein (PrPC) to an insoluble, proteinase K-resistant, pathogenic isoform (PrPSc). Once generated, PrPSc propagates by complexing with, and transferring its pathogenic conformation onto, PrPC. Defining the specific nature of this PrPSc-PrPC interaction is critical to understanding prion genesis. To begin to approach this question, we employed a prion-infected neuroblastoma cell line (ScN2a) combined with a heterologous yeast expression system to independently model PrPSc generation and propagation. We additionally applied fluorescence resonance energy transfer analysis to the latter to specifically study PrP-PrP interactions. In this report we focus on an N-terminal hydrophobic palindrome of PrP (112-AGAAAAGA-119) thought to feature intimately in prion generation via an unclear mechanism. We found that, in contrast to wild type (wt) PrP, PrP lacking the palindrome (PrPDelta112-119) neither converted to PrPSc when expressed in ScN2a cells nor generated proteinase K-resistant PrP when expressed in yeast. Furthermore, PrPDelta112-119 was a dominant-negative inhibitor of wtPrP in ScN2a cells. Both wtPrP and PrPDelta112-119 were highly insoluble when expressed in yeast and produced distinct cytosolic aggregates when expressed as fluorescent fusion proteins (PrP::YFP). Although self-aggregation was evident, fluorescence resonance energy transfer studies in live yeast co-expressing PrPSc-like protein and PrPDelta112-119 indicated altered interaction properties. These results suggest that the palindrome is required, not only for the attainment of the PrPSc conformation but also to facilitate the proper association of PrPSc with PrPC to effect prion propagation.     

Scrapie and cellular prion proteins differ in their kinetics of synthesis and topology in cultured cells

Both the cellular and scrapie isoforms of the prion protein (PrP) designated PrPc and PrPSc are encoded by a single-copy chromosomal gene and appear to be translated from the same 2.1-kb mRNA. PrPC can be distinguished from PrPSc by limited proteolysis under conditions where PrPC is hydrolyzed and PrPSc is resistant. We report here that PrPC can be released from the surface of both normal-control and scrapie-infected murine neuroblastoma (N2a) cells by phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C (PIPLC) digestion and it can be selectively labeled with sulfo-NHS-biotin, a membrane impermeant reagent. In contrast, PrPSc was neither released by PIPLC nor labeled with sulfo-NHS-biotin. Pulse-chase experiments showed that [35S]methionine was incorporated almost immediately into PrPC while incorporation into PrPSc molecules was observed only during the chase period. While PrPC is synthesized and degraded relatively rapidly (t1/2 approximately 5 h), PrPSc is synthesized slowly (t1/2 approximately 15 h) and appears to accumulate. These results are consistent with several observations previously made on rodent brains where PrP mRNA and PrPC levels did not change throughout the course of scrapie infection, yet PrPSc accumulated to levels exceeding that of PrPC. Our kinetic studies demonstrate that PrPSc is derived from a protease-sensitive precursor and that the acquisition of proteinase K resistance results from a posttranslational event. Whether or not prolonged incubation periods, which are a cardinal feature of prion diseases, reflect the slow synthesis of PrPSc remains to be established.     

Phosphorothioate oligonucleotides reduce PrP levels and prion infectivity in cultured cells

Prions are composed solely of the disease-causing prion protein (PrPSc) that is formed from the cellular isoform PrPC by a posttranslational process. Here we report that short phosphorothioate DNA (PS-DNA) oligonucleotides diminished the levels of both PrPC and PrPSc in prion-infected neuroblastoma (ScN2a) cells. The effect of PS-DNA on PrP levels was independent of the nucleotide sequence. The effective concentration (EC50) of PS-DNA required to achieve half-maximal diminution of PrPSc was approximately 70 nM, whereas the EC50 of PS-DNA for PrPC was more than 50-fold greater. This finding indicated that diminished levels of PrPSc after exposure to PS-DNA are unlikely to be due to decreased PrPC levels. Bioassays in transgenic mice demonstrated a substantial diminution in the prion infectivity after ScN2a cells were exposed to PS-DNAs. Whether PS-DNA will be useful in the treatment of prion disease in people or livestock remains to be established.     

Transgenetic studies implicate interactions between homologous PrP isoforms in scrapie prion replication

Transgenic (Tg) mice expressing both Syrian hamster (Ha) and mouse (Mo) prion protein (PrP) genes were used to probe the mechanism of scrapie prion replication. Four Tg lines expressing HaPrP exhibited distinct incubation times ranging from 48 to 277 days, which correlated inversely with HaPrP mRNA and HaPrPC. Bioassays of Tg brain extracts showed that the prion inoculum dictates which prions are synthesized de novo. Tg mice inoculated with Ha prions had approximately 10(9) ID50 units of Ha prions per gram of brain and less than 10 units of Mo prions. Conversely, Tg mice inoculated with Mo prions synthesized Mo prions but not Ha prions. Similarly, Tg mice inoculated with Ha prions exhibited neuropathologic changes characteristic of hamsters with scrapie, while Mo prions produced changes similar to those in non-Tg mice. Our results argue that species specificity of scrapie prions resides in the PrP sequence and prion synthesis is initiated by a species-specific interaction between PrPSc in the inoculum and homologous PrPC.     

Ionic strength and transition metals control PrPSc protease resistance and conversion-inducing activity

The essential component of infectious prions is a misfolded protein termed PrPSc, which is produced by conformational change of a normal host protein, PrPC. It is currently unknown whether PrPSc molecules exist in a unique conformation or whether they are able to undergo additional conformational changes. Under commonly used experimental conditions, PrPSc molecules are characteristically protease-resistant and capable of inducing the conversion of PrPC molecules into new PrPSc molecules. We describe the effects of ionic strength, copper, and zinc on the conformation-dependent protease resistance and conversion-inducing activity of PrPSc molecules in scrapie-infected hamster brains. In the absence of divalent cations, PrPSc molecules were > 20-fold more sensitive to proteinase K digestion in low ionic strength buffers than in high ionic strength buffers. Addition of micromolar concentrations of copper or zinc ions restored the protease resistance of PrPSc molecules under conditions of low ionic strength. These transition metals also controlled the conformation of purified truncated PrP-(27-30) molecules at low ionic strength, confirming that the N-terminal octapeptide repeat region of PrPSc is not required for binding to copper or zinc ions. The protease-sensitive and protease-resistant conformations of PrPSc were reversibly interchangeable, and only the protease-resistant conformation of PrPSc induced by high ionic strength was able to induce the formation of new protease-resistant PrP (PrPres) molecules in vitro. These findings show that PrPSc molecules are structurally interconvertible and that only a subset of PrPSc conformations are able to induce the conversion of other PrP molecules.     

Retrovirus infection strongly enhances scrapie infectivity release in cell culture

Prion diseases are neurodegenerative disorders associated in most cases with the accumulation in the central nervous system of PrPSc (conformationally altered isoform of cellular prion protein (PrPC); Sc for scrapie), a partially protease-resistant isoform of the PrPC. PrPSc is thought to be the causative agent of transmissible spongiform encephalopathies. The mechanisms involved in the intercellular transfer of PrPSc are still enigmatic. Recently, small cellular vesicles of endosomal origin called exosomes have been proposed to contribute to the spread of prions in cell culture models. Retroviruses such as murine leukemia virus (MuLV) or human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) have been shown to assemble and bud into detergent-resistant microdomains and into intracellular compartments such as late endosomes/multivesicular bodies. Here we report that moloney murine leukemia virus (MoMuLV) infection strongly enhances the release of scrapie infectivity in the supernatant of coinfected cells. Under these conditions, we found that PrPC, PrPSc and scrapie infectivity are recruited by both MuLV virions and exosomes. We propose that retroviruses can be important cofactors involved in the spread of the pathological prion agent.