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Prion protein NMR structure and familial human spongiform encephalopathies.

ABSTRACT: The refined NMR structure of the mouse prion protein domain mPrP(121-231) and the recently reported NMR structure of the complete 208-residue polypeptide chain of mPrP are used to investigate the structural basis of inherited human transmissible spongiform encephalopathies. In the cellular form of mPrP no spatial clustering of mutation sites is observed that would indicate the existence of disease-specific subdomains. A hydrogen bond between residues 128 and 178 provides a structural basis for the observed highly specific influence of a polymorphism in position 129 in human PrP on the disease phenotype that segregates with the mutation Asp-178-Asn. Overall, the NMR structure implies that only part of the disease-related amino acid replacements lead to reduced stability of the cellular form of PrP, indicating that subtle structural differences in the mutant proteins may affect intermolecular signaling in a variety of different ways.

SUBMITTER: Riek R

PROVIDER: S-EPMC21698 | biostudies-literature | 1998 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Prion protein NMR structure and familial human spongiform encephalopathies.

Riek R R Wider G G Billeter M M Hornemann S S Glockshuber R R Wüthrich K K

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America 19980901 20

The refined NMR structure of the mouse prion protein domain mPrP(121-231) and the recently reported NMR structure of the complete 208-residue polypeptide chain of mPrP are used to investigate the structural basis of inherited human transmissible spongiform encephalopathies. In the cellular form of mPrP no spatial clustering of mutation sites is observed that would indicate the existence of disease-specific subdomains. A hydrogen bond between residues 128 and 178 provides a structural basis for t ...[more]

PMID: 9751723

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Project description:BACKGROUND: Transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs) affect both domestic sheep (scrapie) and captive and free-ranging cervids (chronic wasting disease; CWD). The geographical range of bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis; BHS) overlaps with states or provinces that have contained scrapie-positive sheep or goats and areas with present epizootics of CWD in cervids. No TSEs have been documented in BHS, but the susceptibility of this species to TSEs remains unknown. RESULTS: We acquired a library of BHS tissues and found no evidence of preexisting TSEs in these animals. The prion protein gene (Prnp) in all BHS in our library was identical to scrapie-susceptible domestic sheep (A136R154Q171 genotype). Using an in vitro prion protein conversion assay, which has been previously used to assess TSE species barriers and, in our study appears to recollect known species barriers in mice, we assessed the potential transmissibility of TSEs to BHS. As expected based upon Prnp genotype, we observed BHS prion protein conversion by classical scrapie agent and evidence for a species barrier between transmissible mink encephalopathy (TME) and BHS. Interestingly, our data suggest that the species barrier of BHS to white-tailed deer or wapiti CWD agents is likely low. We also used protein misfolding cyclic amplification to confirm that CWD, but not TME, can template prion protein misfolding in A136R154Q171 genotype sheep. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate the in vitro conversion assay used in our study does mimic the species barrier of mice to the TSE agents that we tested. Based on Prnp genotype and results from conversion assays, BHS are likely to be susceptible to infection by classical scrapie. Despite mismatches in amino acids thought to modulate prion protein conversion, our data indicate that A136R154Q171 genotype sheep prion protein is misfolded by CWD agent, suggesting that these animals could be susceptible to CWD. Further investigation of TSE transmissibility to BHS, including animal studies, is warranted. The lack of reported TSEs in BHS may be attributable to other host factors or a lack of TSE surveillance in this species.

Project description:BackgroundAs there is limited information about the clinical signs of BSE and scrapie in goats, studies were conducted to describe the clinical progression of scrapie and BSE in goats and to evaluate a short clinical protocol for its use in detecting scrapie-affected goats in two herds with previously confirmed scrapie cases. Clinical assessments were carried out in five goats intracerebrally infected with the BSE agent as well as five reported scrapie suspects and 346 goats subject to cull from the two herds, 24 of which were retained for further monitoring. The brain and selected lymphoid tissue were examined by postmortem tests for disease confirmation.ResultsThe sensitivity and specificity of the short clinical protocol in detecting a scrapie case in the scrapie-affected herds was 3.9% and 99.6%, respectively, based on the presence of tremor, positive scratch test, extensive hair loss, ataxia and absent menace response. All BSE- and scrapie-affected goats displayed abnormalities in sensation (over-reactivity to external stimuli, startle responses, pruritus, absent menace response) and movement (ataxia, tremor, postural deficits) at an advanced clinical stage but the first detectable sign associated with scrapie or BSE could vary between animals. Signs of pruritus were not always present despite similar prion protein genotypes. Clinical signs of scrapie were also displayed by two scrapie cases that presented with detectable disease-associated prion protein only in lymphoid tissues.ConclusionsBSE and scrapie may present as pruritic and non-pruritic forms in goats. Signs assessed for the clinical diagnosis of scrapie or BSE in goats should include postural and gait abnormalities, pruritus and visual impairment. However, many scrapie cases will be missed if detection is solely based on the display of clinical signs. PrPd accumulation in the brain appeared to be related to the severity of clinical disease but not to the display of individual neurological signs.

Dataset Information

Prion protein NMR structure and familial human spongiform encephalopathies.

Publications

Prion protein NMR structure and familial human spongiform encephalopathies.

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