Abstract
Murine prion protein deleted for residues 105–125 is intrinsically neurotoxic and mediates a TSE-like phenotype in transgenic mice. Equivalent and overlapping deletions were expressed in E.coli, purified and analyzed. Among mutants spanning the region 95–135, a construct lacking solely residues 105–125 had distinct properties when compared with the full-length prion protein 23–231 or other deletions. This distinction was also apparent followed expression in eukaryotic cells. Unlike the full-length protein, all deletion mutants failed to bind to synthetic membranes in vitro. These data suggest a novel structure for the 105–125 deleted variant that may relate to its biological properties.
Disclosure of Potential Conflicts of Interest
No potential conflict of interest was disclosed.
Acknowledgments
A.P. was the grateful recipient of an MRC doctoral training award.