Asparagine-linked glycosylation of the scrapie and cellular prion proteins

Post-translational modification of the scrapie prion protein (PrP) is thought to account for the unusual features of this protein. Molecular cloning of a PrP cDNA identified two potential Asn-linked glycosylation sites. Both the scrapie (PrPSc) and cellular (PrPC) isoforms were susceptible to digestion by peptide N-glycosidase F (PNGase F) but resistant to endoglycosidase H as measured by migration in sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. PNGase F digestion of PrPC yielded two proteins of Mr26K and 28K; however, the 26-k species was only a minor component. In contrast, PNGase F digestion of PrPSc yielded equimolar amounts of two proteins of Mr26K and 28K. The significance of this altered stoichiometry between the 26- and 28-kDa deglycosylated forms of PrP during scrapie infection remains to be established. Both isoforms as well as PrP 27-30, which is produced by limited proteolysis of PrPSc, exhibited a reduced number of charge isomers after PNGase F digestion. The molecular weight of PrP 27-30 was reduced from 27K-30K by PNGase F digestion to 20K-22K while anhydrous hydrogen fluoride or trifluoromethanesulfonic acid treatment reduced the molecular weight to 19K-21K and 20K-22K, respectively. Denatured PrP 27-30 was radioiodinated and then assessed for its binding to lectin columns. PrP 27-30 was bound to wheat germ agglutinin (WGA) or lentil lectins and eluted with N-acetylglucosamine or alpha-methyl-mannoside, respectively. Digestion of PrP 27-30 with sialidase prevented its binding to WGA but enhanced its binding to Ricinus communis lectin. These findings argue that PrP 27-30 probably possesses Asn-linked, complex oligosaccharides with terminal sialic acids, penultimate galactoses, and fucose residues attached to the innermost N-acetyl-glucosamine. Whether differences in Asn-linked oligosaccharide structure between PrPC and PrPSc exist and are responsible for the distinct properties displayed by these two isoforms remain to be established.     

Purification and properties of the cellular prion protein from Syrian hamster brain.

The cellular prion protein (PrPC) is encoded by a chromosomal gene, and its scrapie isoform (PrPSc) features in all aspects of the prion diseases. Prior to the studies reported here, purification of PrPC has only been accomplished using immunoaffinity chromatography yielding small amounts of protein. Brain homogenates contain two PrPC forms designated PrPC-I and -II. These proteins were purified from a microsomal fraction by detergent extraction and separated by immobilized Cu2+ ion affinity chromatography. PrPC-II appears to be generated from PrPC-I by limited proteolysis of the N-terminus. Fractions enriched for PrPC-I were purified further by cation-exchange chromatography and sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). Greater than 90% of the final product migrated as a broad band of M(r) 33-35 kDa as judged by silver staining after SDS-PAGE. Digestion of PrPC-I with peptide-N-glycosidase (PNGase) compressed the band and shifted its mobility giving an M(r) of 27 kDa. The protocol described should be amenable to large-scale preparation of PrPC, enabling physical comparisons of PrPC and PrPSc.     

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.     

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.     

Glycosylinositol phospholipid anchors of the scrapie and cellular prion proteins contain sialic acid.

The only identified component of the scrapie prion is PrPSc, a glycosylinositol phospholipid (GPI)-linked protein that is derived from the cellular isoform (PrPC) by an as yet unknown posttranslational event. Analysis of the PrPSc GPI has revealed six different glycoforms, three of which are unprecedented. Two of the glycoforms contain N-acetylneuraminic acid, which has not been previously reported as a component of any GPI. The largest form of the GPI is proposed to have a glycan core consisting of Man alpha-Man alpha-Man-(NeuAc-Gal-GalNAc-)Man-GlcN-Ino. Identical PrPSc GPI structures were found for two distinct isolates or "strains" of prions which specify different incubation times, neuropathology, and PrPSc distribution in brains of Syrian hamsters. Limited analysis of the PrPC GPI reveals that it also has sialylated glycoforms, arguing that the presence of this monosaccharide does not distinguish PrPC from PrPSc.     

Different antigenicities of the N‐terminal region of cellular and scrapie prion proteins

Limited information is available about conformational differences between the abnormal isoform of prion protein (PrP^Sc) and cellular prion protein (PrP^C) under native conditions. To clarify conformational differences between these two isoforms, PrP‐deficient mice were immunized with brain homogenates of normal and scrapie‐infected animals. All mice generated anti‐PrP antibodies. Peptide array analysis of these serum samples revealed a distinctive epitope of PrP^Sc consisting of QGSPGGN (PrP41–47) at the N‐terminus. This study demonstrated a conformational dissimilarity at the N‐terminus between PrP^Sc and PrP^C, a finding that may provide novel information about conformational features of PrP^Sc.     

Prion protein scrapie and the normal cellular prion protein

Prions are infectious proteins and over the past few decades, some prions have become renowned for their causative role in several neurodegenerative diseases in animals and humans. Since their discovery, the mechanisms and mode of transmission and molecular structure of prions have begun to be established. There is, however, still much to be elucidated about prion diseases, including the development of potential therapeutic strategies for treatment. The significance of prion disease is discussed here, including the categories of human and animal prion diseases, disease transmission, disease progression and the development of symptoms and potential future strategies for treatment. Furthermore, the structure and function of the normal cellular prion protein (PrP^C) and its importance in not only in prion disease development, but also in diseases such as cancer and Alzheimer's disease will also be discussed.     

Three hamster species with different scrapie incubation times and neuropathological features encode distinct prion proteins.

Given the critical role of the prion protein (PrP) in the transmission and pathogenesis of experimental scrapie, we investigated the PrP gene and its protein products in three hamster species, Chinese (CHa), Armenian (AHa), and Syrian (SHa), each of which were found to have distinctive scrapie incubation times. Passaging studies demonstrated that the host species, and not the source of scrapie prions, determined the incubation time for each species, and histochemical studies of hamsters with clinical signs of scrapie revealed characteristic patterns of neuropathology. Northern (RNA) analysis showed the size of PrP mRNA from CHa, AHa, and SHa hamsters to be 2.5, 2.4, and 2.1 kilobases, respectively. Immunoblotting demonstrated that the PrP isoforms were of similar size (33 to 35 kilodaltons); however, the monoclonal antibody 13A5 raised against SHa PrP did not react with the CHa or AHa PrP molecules. Comparison of the three predicted amino acid sequences revealed that each is distinct. Furthermore, differences within the PrP open reading frame that uniquely distinguish the three hamster species are within a hydrophilic segment of 11 amino acids that includes polymorphisms linked to scrapie incubation times in inbred mice and an inherited prion disease of humans. Single polymorphisms in this region correlate with the presence or absence of amyloid plaques for a given hamster species or mouse inbred strain. Our findings demonstrate distinctive molecular, pathological, and clinical characteristics of scrapie in three related species and are consistent with the hypothesis that molecular properties of the host PrP play a pivotal role in determining the incubation time and neuropathological features of scrapie.     

Purification and structural studies of a major scrapie prion protein

Scrapie is a degenerative, neurological disorder caused by a slow infectious agent or prion. Extensively purified preparations of prions were denatured by boiling in sodium dodecyl sulfate and the major protein component (PrP 27-30) was isolated by preparative HPLC size exclusion chromatography after proteinase K digestion. The purified PrP 27-30 molecules were not infectious. Ultraviolet absorption spectra of purified PrP 27-30 demonstrated the absence of covalently linked polynucleotides. Amino acid composition studies showed that PrP 27-30 contains at least 17 naturally occurring amino acids. A single N-terminal amino acid sequence for PrP 27-30 was obtained; the sequence is N-Gly-Gln-Gly-Gly-Gly-Thr-His-Asn-Gln-Trp-Asn-Lys-Pro-Ser-Lys and it does not share homology with any known proteins. The same amino acid sequence was found when an extensively purified preparation of prions aggregated into rods and containing approximately 10(9.5) ID50 U/ml was sequenced directly. Knowledge of the amino acid sequence should permit determination of the genetic origin and replication mechanism of prions.     

Conservation of the cellular gene encoding the scrapie prion protein.

The major protein, PrP 27-30, in purified preparations of hamster scrapie prions is encoded within the genome of the experimental host. DNA sequences related to a PrP cDNA clone can be detected in a wide variety of organisms under relatively stringent conditions where the only signal generated by hamster or mouse DNA corresponds to the PrP gene. Three hosts for scrapie, goat, sheep and rat gave strong hybridization signals. In addition, three invertebrate DNAs reacted with the PrP probe, in the order nematode-Drosophila much greater than yeast. Thus, the sequences detected in goat, sheep, rat, nematode, Drosophila and possibly yeast DNA may arise from authentic PrP genes. This evolutionary conservation is consistent with the notion that PrP proteins participate in essential cellular processes.     

Transgenic mice expressing hamster prion protein produce species-specific scrapie infectivity and amyloid plaques

Three transgenic mouse lines designated Tg 69, 71, and 81 were produced harboring a Syrian hamster (Ha) prion protein (PrP) gene; all expressed the cellular HaPrP isoform in their brains. Inoculation of Tg 81 mice or hamsters with Ha prions caused scrapie in integral of 75 days; nontransgenic control mice failed to develop scrapie after greater than 500 days. Tg 71 mice inoculated with Ha prions developed scrapie in integral of 170 days. Both Tg 71 and Tg 81 mice exhibited spongiform degeneration and reactive astrocytic gliosis, and they produced the scrapie HaPrP isoform in their brains. Tg 81 brains also showed HaPrP amyloid plaques characteristic of Ha scrapie and contained integral of 10(9) ID50 units of Ha prions based on Ha bioassays. Our findings argue that the PrP gene modulates scrapie susceptibility, incubation times, and neuropathology; furthermore, they demonstrate synthesis of infectious scrapie prions programmed by a recombinant DNA molecule.     

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.     

Ultrastructural studies of scrapie-associated fibrils and prion protein from hamster brains infected with scrapie

We report here about the purification of prion protein 27-30 (PrP 27-30) and scrapie-associated fibrils (SAF) from hamsters infected with the 263K strain of scrapie. Ultrastructural analysis of fractions from scrapie-infected brains revealed numerous fibrils measuring approximately 20 nm in diameter and 100-200 nm in length. The substructure of these fibrils consisted of protofilaments which were usually straight and rarely helically arranged. We conclude that the electron microscopic appearance of SAF depends much on the purification scheme.     

Astrocyte-specific expression of hamster prion protein (PrP) renders PrP knockout mice susceptible to hamster scrapie.

Transmissible spongiform encephalopathies are characterized by spongiosis, astrocytosis and accumulation of PrPSc, an isoform of the normal host protein PrPC. The exact cell types responsible for agent propagation and pathogenesis are still uncertain. To determine the possible role of astrocytes, we generated mice devoid of murine PrP but expressing hamster PrP transgenes driven by the astrocyte-specific GFAP promoter. After inoculation with hamster scrapie, these mice accumulated infectivity and PrPSc to high levels, developed severe disease after 227 +/- 5 days and died 7 +/- 4 days later. Therefore, astrocytes could play an important role in scrapie pathogenesis, possibly by an indirect toxic effect on neurons. Interestingly, mice expressing the same transgenes but also endogenous murine PrP genes propagated infectivity without developing disease.     

Attempts to convert the cellular prion protein into the scrapie isoform in cell-free systems.

The scrapie prion protein (PrPSc) is derived from a cellular isoform (PrPC) that acquires protease resistance posttranslationally. We have used several different experimental approaches in attempts to reconstitute in vitro the processes leading to protease-resistant PrPSc molecules. In the first study, we performed mixing experiments by adding mouse PrP 27-30 (MoPrP27-30), the protease-resistant core of PrPSc, to PrPC and then incubating the mixture to investigate the possibility of heterodimer formation as a first step in prion replication. We used epitopically tagged PrP molecules, synthesized in murine neuroblastoma (N2a) cells transfected with the chimeric mouse/Syrian hamster MHM2 PrP construct, which are recognized by the Syrian hamster-specific monoclonal antibody 3F4. After as long as 24 h of incubation, the reaction mixture was assayed for heterodimeric intermediates of MHM2 PrPC and MoPrPSc and for protease-resistant 3F4-reactive PrP. We were unable to identify any aggregates of MHM2 PrPC and MoPrPSc on immunoblots; furthermore, we did not observe de novo formation of protease-resistant MHM2 PrP. In a second study, MoPrPC was metabolically radiolabeled in scrapie prion-infected N2a cultured cells, and then the cell extract was homogenized and incubated under various conditions to allow for the formation of protease-resistant MoPrPSc. We observed no radiolabeled MoPrPSc by immunoprecipitation after as long as 24 h of in vitro incubation. In a third approach, Syrian hamster PrP (SHaPrP) was synthesized in a cell-free translation system supplemented with microsomal membranes derived from either normal or scrapie prion-infected cultured cells. We found that all SHaPrP species translocated across microsomal membranes from scrapie prion-infected cells were protease sensitive in the presence of detergents and displayed the same topology as those generated by microsomes from normal cells or from dog pancreas. We also studied PrP molecules that encode the codon 102 mutation that causes the rare human prion disease Gerstmann-Str?ussler-Scheinker (GSS) syndrome. On the basis of our data, GSSPrP appears to yield topological forms similar to those of the wild-type PrP when processed by either normal or scrapie prion-derived microsomes.     

Properties of scrapie prion protein liposomes

Purified scrapie prions contain one identifiable macromolecule, PrP 27-30, which polymerizes into rod-shaped amyloids. The rods can be dissociated with retention of scrapie infectivity upon incorporation of PrP 27-30 into detergent-lipid-protein complexes (DLPC) as well as liposomes. As measured by end-point titration, scrapie infectivity was increased greater than 100-fold upon dissociating the rods into liposomes. The incorporation of PrP 27-30 into liposomes was demonstrated by immunoelectron microscopy using colloidal gold. Detergent extraction of prion liposomes followed by chloroform/methanol extraction resulted in the reappearance of rods, indicating that this process is reversible. Scrapie prion infectivity in rods and liposomes was equally resistant to inactivation by irradiation at 254 nm and was unaltered by exposure to nucleases. A variety of lipids used for producing DLPC and liposomes did not alter infectivity. Fluorescently labeled PrP 27-30 in liposomes was used to study its entry into cultured cells. Unlike the rods which remained as large fluorescent extracellular masses, the PrP 27-30 in liposomes rapidly entered the cells and was seen widely distributed within the interior of the cell. PrP 27-30 is derived by limited proteolysis from a larger protein designated PrP(Sc) which is membrane bound. PrP(Sc) in membrane fractions was solubilized by incorporation in DLPC, thus preventing its aggregation into amyloid rods. The functional solubilization of scrapie prion proteins in DLPC and liposomes offers new approaches to the study of prion structure and the mechanism by which they cause brain degeneration.     

Epitope scanning reveals gain and loss of strain specific antibody binding epitopes associated with the conversion of normal cellular prion to scrapie prion

We used anti-prion (PrP) monoclonal antibodies (Mabs) in different combinations to scan changes in the availability of antibody binding epitopes--using an epitope scanning assay--in brain homogenates from normal mice, and from mice infected with either ME7 or 139 A strains of infectious scrapie prion (PrPSc). In ME7-infected brains, the epitope detected by the Mab pair 8B4/8H4 is reduced, while the epitope detected by the Mab pair 8F9/11G5 is increased. Mab 8F9/11G5 detect a conformational epitope on PrPSc because the rise in Mab 8F9/11G5 binding is sensitive to a denaturing agent but resistant to proteinase K (PK). While the increase in Mab 8F9/11G5 binding correlates with the presence of PK-resistant PrP and clinical signs of infection, the reduction in Mab 8B4/8H4 binding is detected earlier. Fractionation of the ME7-infected brain homogenate in sucrose gradient revealed that the PrPSc species detected by the epitope scanning assay are heterogeneous in size, with a molecular mass of approximately > or = 2000-kDa. We also investigated whether these findings were applicable to two other strains of PrPSc, namely 87 V and 22 L. We found that the decrease in Mab 8B4/8H4 binding detected in ME7-infected brains was also detected in 87 V-infected brains but not in 22 L-infected brains. In contrast, the increase in Mab 8F9/11G5 binding detected in ME7- and 139 A-infected brains was also detected in 22 L-infected brains but not in 87 V-infected brains. Therefore, each prion strain has its unique conformation, and we can monitor the conversion of normal cellular prion (PrPC) to PrPSc based on the changes in the antibody binding patterns. The epitope can be decreased or increased, linear or conformational, detected late or early during infection, in a strain specific manner.     

Immunological analysis of host and agent effects on Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease and scrapie prion proteins.

Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) and scrapie are degenerative neurological diseases caused by unusual infectious pathogens. The term prion has been introduced to underscore the apparent distinctness of these agents from viruses and viroids. The only macromolecule shown to be associated with the infectious agent, the CJD or scrapie prion protein (PrPCJD or PrPSc, respectively), is encoded by the same gene as a normal cellular protein. In several studies biochemical differences have been reported in PrPScs derived from a common host species infected with different putative strains of the scrapie agent, suggesting agent-specific characteristics independent of the host. We analyzed various agent-host combinations by Western blotting of PrPs that were separated by size or charge. The profile of immunoreactive proteins for CJD prions isolated from mice, guinea pigs, and humans appeared distinct. Importantly, PrPCJDS purified from a human brain and from the corresponding first-passage mouse brains were clearly distinguishable. PrPCJDs isolated from CJD prions propagated in NAMRU or B10.Q mice, which are homozygous for a short-incubation-time gene; from the short-incubation-time backcross progeny of (B10.Q x I/LnJ)F1 x B10.Q; or from NAMRU mice inoculated with I/LnJ prions were identical to each other but distinguishable from those of I/LnJ mice, which are homozygous for the long-incubation-time gene. The PrPs from human CJD and ovine scrapie propagated in the same mouse strain appeared the same, but they were distinct from the same isolate of scrapie passaged in hamsters. Lastly, PrPScs purified from five different strains of scrapie propagated in C57BL mice were identical, including strains, ME7 and 139A, which were previously reported to be distinct. This evidence does not support, although it does not exclude, agent-mediated characteristics independent of host-mediated ones for scrapie and CJD.