Copper coordination modulates prion conversion and infectivity in mammalian prion proteins

ABSTRACT

In mammals the cellular form of the prion protein (PrP^C) is a ubiquitous protein involved in many relevant functions in the central nervous system. In addition to its physiological functions PrP^C plays a central role in a group of invariably fatal neurodegenerative disorders collectively called prion diseases. In fact, the protein is a substrate in a process in which it converts into an infectious and pathological form denoted as prion. The protein has a unique primary structure where the unstructured N-terminal moiety possesses characteristic sequences wherein histidines are able to coordinate metal ions, in particular copper ions. These sequences are called octarepeats for their characteristic length. Moreover, a non-octarepeat fifth-copper binding site is present where copper coordination seems to control infectivity. In this review, I will argue that these sequences may play a significant role in modulating prion conversion and replication.

KEYWORDS:

• prion
• prion protein
• octarepeats
• histidines
• infectivity

Acknowledgments

The author wishes to thank Drs Gabriele Giachin and Fabio Moda for helpful discussions and suggestions. Figure 1 has been kindly provided by Ms Francesca Katharina Legname. Figure 2 has been kindly provided by Dr Gabriele Giachin.

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Funding

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