PrP蛋白与Shadoo蛋白研究进展

朊蛋白(PrP蛋白)在传染性海绵状脑病中具有重要作用,但其生物学功能至今没有明确。Shadoo蛋白是一种与朊蛋白在N端结构上极为相似的新蛋白,SPRN是Shadoo蛋白的结构基因。由于Shadoo蛋白与PrP蛋白具有相同的生物学性质,且它们在脑组织中重叠表达,因此也被认为是研究朊蛋白的关键因素。文章主要探讨PrP蛋白与Shadoo蛋白在基因结构、蛋白功能、朊病毒感染方面的关系。     

处理重组牛朊蛋白对接种金黄地鼠脑组织朊蛋白的效应

将纯化的重组牛朊蛋白经理化因子处理后,脑内接种金黄地鼠。临床观察200天后,对大脑、小脑和脑干,进行蛋白酶抗性朊蛋白的WesternBlot检测和朊蛋白基因表达绝对定量。结果表明,处理的重组牛朊蛋白对金黄地鼠脑组织检测部位的基因表达有特定的影响;接种后在检测时间内处理重组牛朊蛋白没有导致金黄地鼠脑内酶抗性朊蛋白的出现。研究结果为重组朊蛋白的生物学提供了基础数据。     

金黄地鼠Dpl基因克隆及其组织特异性表达的研究

本文成功克隆了金黄地鼠Dpl(PrP-like protein doppel,Doppel)基因,并采用实时荧光定量PCR法对其组织特异性表达进行了研究.根据已发表家鼠Dpl基因序列设计引物,采用PCR直接扩增金黄地鼠(Ham.ster)的Dpl基因CDs区,序列测定和分析表明金黄地鼠的Dpl基因CDs区全长537 bp,编码178个氨基酸的前体蛋白,不存在基因多态性.经基因序列对比分析,金黄地鼠与其他10种属哺乳动物Dpl基因有较高同源性,均为70.8%以上,且与鼠科Dpl序列的同源性最高(86%).实时定量PCR结果表明,在所检测组织中,Dpl m.RNA在睾丸表达量最高,其次为脾脏、心脏、骨髓和脑,其在肝脏、肺脏、肾脏和肌肉中的表达低于检测水平;成年动物与未成年动物相比,在睾丸组织的表达量,成年鼠显著高于未成年鼠;在成年鼠脑组织检测不到Dpl m.RNA 的表达.本研究对金黄地鼠Dpl基因序列进行分析测定,并对其在不同组织的生理表达进行了定量,以期为其功能的进一步研究提供基础数据.     

绵羊重组朊蛋白特异性抗体的制备

传染性海绵状脑病(transmissible spongiform encephalopathy,TSE)是一类累及人和动物的中枢神经系统的退行性、致死性疾病[1],其病因目前认为是神经细胞表面的一种正常朊蛋白PrPC构象发生改变形成异常朊蛋白PrPSc所致.     

牛朊蛋白基因多态性对疯牛病影响的研究进展

朊蛋白(prion protein,PRNP)是近年来已证明的人和部分哺乳动物传染性海绵状脑病(transmissible spongiform encephalopathy,TSE)的主要根源,该蛋白编码基因的多态性显著影响了人和动物对TSE的易感性或抗病性。牛传染性海绵状脑病俗称"疯牛病"。作者分析了疯牛病的起源、监测和预防措施;简要介绍了牛PRNP基因的结构与功能;系统分析了牛科动物PRNP基因非编码区多态性与抗病性作用;总结了牛科动物PRNP基因启动子区域内23 bp插入/缺失和第1内含子区域内12 bp插入/缺失对疯牛病易感性的影响,为牛的抗病分子育种提供指导。     

BAT3过表达提高内源朊蛋白的表达量

为了检测BAT3蛋白与朊蛋白的相互作用,探讨BAT3蛋白在朊蛋白合成和降解以及海绵状脑病发生过程中所起的作用。构建能够在细胞中表达全长朊蛋白的真核表达载体pGEFP-N1-PRNP和表达全长BAT3蛋白的真核表达载体pcDNA3.1-HA-BAT3,应用脂质体方法分别将质粒转染进入Hela细胞,原代神经元,Neuro2a细胞。利用免疫荧光技术观察内源BAT3与全长朊蛋白的相互作用情况,利用免疫印迹技术检测BAT3过表达对内源朊蛋白表达的影响。结果在Hela细胞和原代神经元内,转染pGEFP-N1-PRNP后,自发绿色荧光蛋白的全长朊蛋白与内源BAT3发生共定位;Hela细胞和Neuro2a细胞转染pcDNA3.1-HA-BAT3后,随着外源全长BAT3表达量的增加,内源朊蛋白的表达量表现为剂量依赖性增加。表明BAT3能与朊蛋白发生相互作用,过表达BAT3能促进内源朊蛋白的表达,提示BAT3可能影响朊蛋白的合成。     

金黄地鼠（Mesocricetus auratus）朊蛋白基因的克隆及其原核表达

采用RT-PCR技术从金黄地鼠(Mesocricetus auratus)脑组织获得朊蛋白基因(Prion protein nucleic acid,PRNP)开放阅读框(Open reading frame,ORF),截去其N端信号肽(66 bp)和C端GPI锚定位点(69 bp)形成朊蛋白编码区PRNPx;将编码区重组于融合表达质粒Pet-DsbA中,并在大肠杆菌BL21(DE3)plysS中经IPTG诱导表达,并经Western-blot验证。结果表明,金黄地鼠PRNP基因ORF区全长为765 bp,编码254个氨基酸的前体蛋白,核苷酸序列与已发表金黄地鼠序列(M14054)同源性为99.87%,其第116个氨基酸发生了同义突变由GCT变为GCC;朊蛋白在大肠杆菌得到高效表达,产物是相对分子质量为47 000的融合蛋白。     

研究人员建立传染性朊病毒疾病小鼠模型

一个国际科学家小组建立了一种传染性朊病毒疾病小鼠模型。研究人员发现,通过改变两个核酸改变朊蛋白结构可以导致一种致命性的神经系统疾患。该研究的目的是研究可以引起慢性消耗性疾病即在鹿和麋鹿发现的传染性朊病毒疾病的朊蛋白变化。这种疾病与牛的牛海绵状脑病和人的Creutzfeldt-Jakob病类似。通过改变朊病毒基因中的两个核酸,     

朊蛋白基因家族在畜牧兽医中的研究进展

朊蛋白基因PRNP作为朊蛋白基因家族的一员,其编码的异常朊蛋白(prion)导致传染性海绵样脑病(TSEs)的发生。PRNP基因在定位、结构、表达和编码产物上与朊蛋白基因家族其他3个基因(PRND,PRNT和SPRN)存在很多相似之处,且该基因家族在不同种属之间十分保守,朊蛋白基因家族因此被称为"朊蛋白基因复合体"(prion gene complex)。已有资料表明,朊蛋白基因家族除了与TSEs的发生密切相关,其还对畜牧生产和兽医预防有着重要影响。论文介绍了朊蛋白基因家族的4个基因及其编码产物,而后依次阐述了该基因家族对畜牧生产的影响以及在兽医预防中的研究进展,以期为畜牧生产和兽医预防提供参考。     

朊病毒感染的牛、羊脑干朊蛋白的酶裂解

动物传染性海绵状脑病的感染因子—朊病毒 ,通常可以耐受蛋白水解和轻度的蛋白解离过程 ,利用 Bacilluslicheniformis PWD- 1株产生的细菌角蛋白酶 ,我们探索了牛海绵状脑病和羊痒病脑干组织的朊病毒蛋白能完全水解的条件。对脑干匀浆中朊蛋白的致病异构体 Pr PSC采用 West-erm blotting和多种单克隆抗体进行检测。结果发现 ,对脑干组织匀浆在 10 0℃处理后采用角蛋白酶裂解 ,可以使脑干中的 Pr PSC降低到免疫化学检测不到的水平。蛋白酶 K和其它2种枯草杆菌蛋白酶对其也有效 ,但是胰蛋白酶和胃蛋白酶没有效果。这种酶裂解过程可以促进医学和实验室设备朊蛋白去污剂的研制 ,该酶解方法对朊病毒失活效力的检测 ,最终依赖鼠生物学检测法验证     

Failure to detect prion protein (PrPres) by immunohistochemistry in striated muscle tissues of animals experimentally inoculated with agents of transmissible spongiform encephalopathy

Transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs) are fatal neurologic diseases. Infection by the causative agent, a prion, induces accumulations of an abnormal form of prion protein (PrP(res)) in tissues of nervous and lymphoid systems. Presence of characteristic histopathologic changes (spongiform encephalopathy) and detection of protease-resistant PrP(res) in neural and lymphoid tissues are the basis of currently available methods for diagnosis of TSEs. In this study, samples of striated muscle tissues (tongue, heart, diaphragm, and masseter muscle) from 20 animals (cattle, sheep, elk, and raccoons) were examined for PrP(res) by immunohistochemistry (IHC). All the animals had developed a TSE after experimental inoculation. PrP(res) was found by IHC in the brain but not in the muscle tissues of all the animals examined. These findings are contradictory to recently published reports of laboratory animals with TSEs, where these altered prion proteins were detected in tongue and other striated muscles. Further testing of muscle tissues is needed to confirm the findings of the present study.     

Prion protein self-interaction in prion disease therapy approaches

Transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs) or prion diseases are unique disorders that are not caused by infectious micro-organisms (bacteria or fungi), viruses or parasites, but rather seem to be the result of an infectious protein. TSEs are comprised of fatal neurodegenerative disorders affecting both human and animals. Prion diseases cause sponge-like degeneration of neuronal tissue and include (among others) Creutzfeldt-Jacob disease in humans, bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) in cattle and scrapie in sheep. TSEs are characterized by the formation and accumulation of transmissible (infectious) disease-associated protease-resistant prion protein (PrP(Sc)), mainly in tissues of the central nervous system. The exact molecular processes behind the conversion of PrP(C) into PrP(Sc) are not clearly understood. Correlations between prion protein polymorphisms and disease have been found, however in what way these polymorphisms influence the conversion processes remains an enigma; is stabilization or destabilization of the prion protein the basis for a higher conversion propensity? Apart from the disease-associated polymorphisms of the prion protein, the molecular processes underlying conversion are not understood. There are some notions as to which regions of the prion protein are involved in refolding of PrP(C) into PrP(Sc) and where the most drastic structural changes take place. Direct interactions between PrP(C) molecules and/or PrP(Sc) are likely at the basis of conversion, however which specific amino acid domains are involved and to what extent these domains contribute to conversion resistance/sensitivity of the prion protein or the species barrier is still unknown.     

Hepatitis in dogs. An indexed bibliography of journal articles (1994–2004)

Transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs) or prion diseases are unique disorders that are not caused by infectious micro-organisms (bacteria or fungi), viruses or parasites, but rather seem to be the result of an infectious protein. TSEs are comprised of fatal neurodegenerative disorders affecting both human and animals. Prion diseases cause sponge-like degeneration of neuronal tissue and include (among others) Creutzfeldt–Jacob disease in humans, bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) in cattle and scrapie in sheep. TSEs are characterized by the formation and accumulation of transmissible (infectious) disease-associated protease-resistant prion protein (PrP^Sc), mainly in tissues of the central nervous system. The exact molecular processes behind the conversion of PrP^C into PrP^Sc are not clearly understood. Correlations between prion protein polymorphisms and disease have been found, however in what way these polymorphisms influence the conversion processes remains an enigma; is stabilization or destabilization of the prion protein the basis for a higher conversion propensity? Apart from the disease-associated polymorphisms of the prion protein, the molecular processes underlying conversion are not understood. There are some notions as to which regions of the prion protein are involved in refolding of PrP^C into PrP^Sc and where the most drastic structural changes take place. Direct interactions between PrP^C molecules and/or PrP^Sc are likely at the basis of conversion, however which specific amino acid domains are involved and to what extent these domains contribute to conversion resistance/sensitivity of the prion protein or the species barrier is still unknown.     

朊蛋白在宁夏滩羊不同组织中表达的免疫组化研究

作者运用免疫组织化学技术,首次对我国一类保护物种宁夏滩羊各组织中朊蛋白(PrP)的分布进行定性、定位研究。结果显示,PrP在滩羊的大脑、脑干、小脑、心脏、肝脏、脾脏、肾脏及淋巴结均有表达,尤其在脾脏、肾脏、脑干、淋巴结中的表达量丰富,而肺脏检测结果为阴性。此研究确定了朊蛋白在滩羊各组织中的表达与分布状况,并优化了朊蛋白检测的技术条件,为羊痒病的诊断与检测提供技术支持。     

Lack of PrP(sc) immunostaining in intracranial ectopic lymphoid follicles in a sheep with concomitant non-suppurative encephalitis and Nor98-like atypical scrapie: a case report

During active surveillance for transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs) in sheep, an initial reactor was detected using a rapid test on a brain sample. Immunohistochemistry confirmed an atypical TSE presentation that closely resembled the previously described Nor98 cases. Sequencing of the prnp gene confirmed the ARQ/AHQ genotype with the L141F mutation at codon 141 associated with this phenotype. The head, including the brain and cranial lymphoid tissues, was sampled and examined thoroughly. Non-purulent encephalitis, with ectopic lymphoid follicle formation within the brain, was diagnosed concomitant to the TSE. When scrapie-associated prion protein (PrP(sc)) deposition was studied by immunohistochemistry there was a noticeable lack of lymphotropism. The distribution of PrP(sc) in the brain differed considerably from that of classical scrapie cases. Astrogliosis and microgliosis were demonstrated by histochemical procedures.     

Transmission of transmissible mink encephalopathy to raccoons (Procyon lotor) by intracerebral inoculation.

To determine the transmissibility of transmissible mink encephalopathy (TME) agent to raccoons and to provide information about clinical course, lesions, and suitability of currently used diagnostic procedures for detection of transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs) in raccoons, 4 raccoon kits were inoculated intracerebrally with a brain suspension from mink experimentally infected with TME. One uninoculated raccoon kit served as a control. All 4 animals in the TME-inoculated group showed clinical signs of neurologic disorder and were euthanized between 21 and 23 weeks postinoculation (PI). Necropsy examinations revealed no gross lesions. Spongiform encephalopathy was observed by light microscopy, and the presence of protease-resistant prion protein (PrPres) was detected by immunohistochemistry and Western blot techniques. Scrapie-associated fibrils were observed by negative-stain electron microscopy in the brains of 3 of the 4 inoculated raccoons. These findings confirm that TME is experimentally transmissible to raccoons and that diagnostic techniques currently used for TSE in livestock detect prion protein in raccoon tissue. According to previously published data, the incubation period of sheep scrapie in raccoons is 2 years, whereas chronic wasting disease (CWD) had not shown transmission after 3 years of observation. Because incubation periods for the 3 US TSEs (scrapie, TME, and CWD) in raccoons appear to be markedly different, it may be possible to use raccoons for differentiating unknown TSE agents. Retrospective genotyping of raccoons using frozen spleens showed that the raccoon PrP gene is identical to the mink gene at codons 179 and 224. Further studies, such as the incubation periods of bovine spongiform encephalopathy and other isolates of scrapie, CWD, and TME in raccoons, are needed before the model can be further characterized for differentiation of TSE agents.     

Trace elements and prion diseases: a review of the interactions of copper, manganese and zinc with the prion protein

Transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs) are a family of neurodegenerative diseases characterized by their long incubation periods, progressive neurological changes, and spongiform appearance in the brain. There is much evidence to show that TSEs are caused by an isoform of the normal cellular surface prion protein PrPC. The normal function of PrPC is still unknown, but it exhibits properties of a cupro-protein, capable of binding up to six copper ions. There are two differing views on copper's role in prion diseases. While one view looks at the PrPC copper-binding as the trigger for conversion to PrPSc, the opposing viewpoint sees a lack of PrPC copper-binding resulting in the conformational change into the disease causing isoform. Manganese and zinc have been shown to interact with PrPC as well and have been found in abnormal levels in prion diseases. This review addresses the interaction between select trace elements and the PrPC.     

PrP基因在金黄地鼠淋巴和外周组织中表达水平的动态检测

利用实时荧光定量RT—PCR技术，构建了标准重组质粒，制备了标准曲线，对不同年龄金黄地鼠腹股沟浅淋巴结、脾、心、肝、肺和肾提取总RNA，反转录后进行PrP基因的表达定量。结果发现，淋巴组织呈现高的表达量，外周组织的表达量比较低；不同组织在不同年龄出现表达高峰。     

Generation of genuine prion infectivity by serial PMCA

Prions are the causative infectious agents of transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs). They are thought to arise from misfolding and aggregation of the prion protein (PrP). In serial transmission protein misfolding cyclic amplification (sPMCA) experiments, newly formed misfolded and proteinase K-resistant PrP (PrPres) catalysed the structural conversion of cellular prion protein (PrP(C)) as efficiently as PrP(Sc) from the brain of scrapie-infected (263K) hamsters confirming an autocatalytic misfolding cascade as postulated by the prion hypothesis. However, the fact that PrPres generated in vitro was associated with approximately 10 times less infectivity than an equivalent quantity of brain-derived PrP(Sc) casts doubt on the "protein-only" hypothesis of prion propagation and backs theories that suggest there are additional molecular species of infectious PrP or other agent-associated factors. By combining sPMCA with prion delivery on suitable carrier particles we were able to resolve the apparent discrepancy between the amount of PrPres and infectivity which we were then able to relate to differences in the size distribution of PrP aggregates and consecutive differences in regard to biological clearance. These findings demonstrate that we have designed an experimental set-up yielding in vitro generated prions that are indistinguishable from prions isolated from scrapie-infected hamster brain in terms of proteinase K resistance, autocatalytic conversion activity, and - most notably - specific biological infectivity.