1
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Wang SS, Meng ZL, Zhang YW, Yan YS, Li LB. Prion protein E219K polymorphism: from the discovery of the KANNO blood group to interventions for human prion disease. Front Neurol 2024; 15:1392984. [PMID: 39050130 PMCID: PMC11266091 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2024.1392984] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2024] [Accepted: 06/26/2024] [Indexed: 07/27/2024] Open
Abstract
KANNO is a new human blood group that was recently discovered. The KANNO antigen shares the PRNP gene with the prion protein and the prion protein E219K polymorphism determines the presence or absence of the KANNO antigen and the development of anti-KANNO alloantibodies. These alloantibodies specifically react with prion proteins, which serve as substrates for conversion into pathological isoforms in some prion diseases and may serve as effective targets for resisting prion infection. These findings establish a potential link between the KANNO blood group and human prion disease via the prion protein E219K polymorphism. We reviewed the interesting correlation between the human PRNP gene's E219K polymorphism and the prion proteins it expresses, as well as human red blood cell antigens. Based on the immune serological principles of human blood cells, the prion protein E219K polymorphism may serve as a foundation for earlier molecular diagnosis and future drug development for prion diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Si-Si Wang
- Department of Translational Medicine, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Zhao-Li Meng
- Department of Translational Medicine, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Yi-Wen Zhang
- Department of Translational Medicine, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Yi-Shuang Yan
- Department of Translational Medicine, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Ling-Bo Li
- Aikang MedTech Co., Ltd., Shenzhen, China
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2
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Soto P, Thalhuber DT, Luceri F, Janos J, Borgman MR, Greenwood NM, Acosta S, Stoffel H. Protein-lipid interactions and protein anchoring modulate the modes of association of the globular domain of the Prion protein and Doppel protein to model membrane patches. FRONTIERS IN BIOINFORMATICS 2024; 3:1321287. [PMID: 38250434 PMCID: PMC10796588 DOI: 10.3389/fbinf.2023.1321287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2023] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
The Prion protein is the molecular hallmark of the incurable prion diseases affecting mammals, including humans. The protein-only hypothesis states that the misfolding, accumulation, and deposition of the Prion protein play a critical role in toxicity. The cellular Prion protein (PrPC) anchors to the extracellular leaflet of the plasma membrane and prefers cholesterol- and sphingomyelin-rich membrane domains. Conformational Prion protein conversion into the pathological isoform happens on the cell surface. In vitro and in vivo experiments indicate that Prion protein misfolding, aggregation, and toxicity are sensitive to the lipid composition of plasma membranes and vesicles. A picture of the underlying biophysical driving forces that explain the effect of Prion protein - lipid interactions in physiological conditions is needed to develop a structural model of Prion protein conformational conversion. To this end, we use molecular dynamics simulations that mimic the interactions between the globular domain of PrPC anchored to model membrane patches. In addition, we also simulate the Doppel protein anchored to such membrane patches. The Doppel protein is the closest in the phylogenetic tree to PrPC, localizes in an extracellular milieu similar to that of PrPC, and exhibits a similar topology to PrPC even if the amino acid sequence is only 25% identical. Our simulations show that specific protein-lipid interactions and conformational constraints imposed by GPI anchoring together favor specific binding sites in globular PrPC but not in Doppel. Interestingly, the binding sites we found in PrPC correspond to prion protein loops, which are critical in aggregation and prion disease transmission barrier (β2-α2 loop) and in initial spontaneous misfolding (α2-α3 loop). We also found that the membrane re-arranges locally to accommodate protein residues inserted in the membrane surface as a response to protein binding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricia Soto
- Department of Physics, Creighton University, Omaha, NE, United States
| | | | - Frank Luceri
- Omaha Central High School, Omaha, NE, United States
| | - Jamie Janos
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Creighton University, Omaha, NE, United States
| | - Mason R. Borgman
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Creighton University, Omaha, NE, United States
| | - Noah M. Greenwood
- Department of Physics, Creighton University, Omaha, NE, United States
| | - Sofia Acosta
- Omaha North High School, Omaha, NE, United States
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3
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Soto P, Gloeb GM, Tsuchida KA, Charles AA, Greenwood NM, Hendrickson H. Insight into the conserved structural dynamics of the C-terminus of mammal PrPC identifies structural core and possible structural role of pharmacological chaperones. Prion 2023; 17:55-66. [PMID: 36892160 PMCID: PMC10012922 DOI: 10.1080/19336896.2023.2186674] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Misfolding of the prion protein is central to prion disease aetiology. Although understanding the dynamics of the native fold helps to decipher the conformational conversion mechanism, a complete depiction of distal but coupled prion protein sites common across species is lacking. To fill this gap, we used normal mode analysis and network analysis to examine a collection of prion protein structures deposited on the protein data bank. Our study identified a core of conserved residues that sustains the connectivity across the C-terminus of the prion protein. We propose how a well-characterized pharmacological chaperone may stabilize the fold. Also, we provide insight into the effect on the native fold of initial misfolding pathways identified by others using kinetics studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricia Soto
- Physics department, Creighton University, Omaha, NE, USA
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4
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Thackray AM, McNulty EE, Nalls AV, Cardova A, Tran L, Telling G, Benestad SL, Gilch S, Mathiason CK, Bujdoso R. Genetic modulation of CWD prion propagation in cervid PrP Drosophila. Biochem J 2023; 480:1485-1501. [PMID: 37747806 PMCID: PMC10586768 DOI: 10.1042/bcj20230247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2023] [Revised: 09/21/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 09/27/2023]
Abstract
Chronic wasting disease is a fatal prion condition of cervids such as deer, elk, moose and reindeer. Secretion and excretion of prion infectivity from North American cervids with this condition causes environmental contamination and subsequent efficient lateral transmission in free-ranging and farmed cervids. Variants of cervid PrP exist that affect host susceptibility to chronic wasting disease. Cervid breeding programmes aimed at increasing the frequency of PrP variants associated with resistance to chronic wasting disease may reduce the burden of this condition in animals and lower the risk of zoonotic disease. This strategy requires a relatively rapid and economically viable model system to characterise and support selection of prion disease-modifying cervid PrP variants. Here, we generated cervid PrP transgenic Drosophila to fulfil this purpose. We have generated Drosophila transgenic for S138 wild type cervid PrP, or the N138 variant associated with resistance to chronic wasting disease. We show that cervid PrP Drosophila accumulate bona fide prion infectivity after exposure to cervid prions. Furthermore, S138 and N138 PrP fly lines are susceptible to cervid prion isolates from either North America or Europe when assessed phenotypically by accelerated loss of locomotor ability or survival, or biochemically by accumulation of prion seeding activity. However, after exposure to European reindeer prions, N138 PrP Drosophila accumulated prion seeding activity with slower kinetics than the S138 fly line. These novel data show that prion susceptibility characteristics of cervid PrP variants are maintained when expressed in Drosophila, which highlights this novel invertebrate host in modelling chronic wasting disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alana M. Thackray
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge, Madingley Road, Cambridge CB3 0ES, U.K
| | - Erin E. McNulty
- Prion Research Center (PRC) and the Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, U.S.A
| | - Amy V. Nalls
- Prion Research Center (PRC) and the Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, U.S.A
| | - Alzbeta Cardova
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge, Madingley Road, Cambridge CB3 0ES, U.K
| | - Linh Tran
- Department of Biohazard and Pathology, WOAH Reference Laboratory for CWD (SLB), National Veterinary Institute, Postboks 64, 1431 Ås, Norway
| | - Glenn Telling
- Prion Research Center (PRC) and the Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, U.S.A
| | - Sylvie L. Benestad
- Department of Biohazard and Pathology, WOAH Reference Laboratory for CWD (SLB), National Veterinary Institute, Postboks 64, 1431 Ås, Norway
| | - Sabine Gilch
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, 3330 Hospital Drive NW, Calgary, AB T2N 4N1, Canada
| | - Candace K. Mathiason
- Prion Research Center (PRC) and the Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, U.S.A
| | - Raymond Bujdoso
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge, Madingley Road, Cambridge CB3 0ES, U.K
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5
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Cembran A, Fernandez-Funez P. Intrinsic determinants of prion protein neurotoxicity in Drosophila: from sequence to (dys)function. Front Mol Neurosci 2023; 16:1231079. [PMID: 37645703 PMCID: PMC10461008 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2023.1231079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2023] [Accepted: 08/02/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Prion diseases are fatal brain disorders characterized by deposition of insoluble isoforms of the prion protein (PrP). The normal and pathogenic structures of PrP are relatively well known after decades of studies. Yet our current understanding of the intrinsic determinants regulating PrP misfolding are largely missing. A 3D subdomain of PrP comprising the β2-α2 loop and helix 3 contains high sequence and structural variability among animals and has been proposed as a key domain regulating PrP misfolding. We combined in vivo work in Drosophila with molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, which provide additional insight to assess the impact of candidate substitutions in PrP from conformational dynamics. MD simulations revealed that in human PrP WT the β2-α2 loop explores multiple β-turn conformations, whereas the Y225A (rabbit PrP-like) substitution strongly favors a 310-turn conformation, a short right-handed helix. This shift in conformational diversity correlates with lower neurotoxicity in flies. We have identified additional conformational features and candidate amino acids regulating the high toxicity of human PrP and propose a new strategy for testing candidate modifiers first in MD simulations followed by functional experiments in flies. In this review we expand on these new results to provide additional insight into the structural and functional biology of PrP through the prism of the conformational dynamics of a 3D domain in the C-terminus. We propose that the conformational dynamics of this domain is a sensitive measure of the propensity of PrP to misfold and cause toxicity. This provides renewed opportunities to identify the intrinsic determinants of PrP misfolding through the contribution of key amino acids to different conformational states by MD simulations followed by experimental validation in transgenic flies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandro Cembran
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Minnesota Duluth, Duluth, MN, United States
| | - Pedro Fernandez-Funez
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Minnesota Medical School, Duluth, MN, United States
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6
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Björk L, Klingstedt T, Nilsson KPR. Thiophene-Based Ligands: Design, Synthesis and Their Utilization for Optical Assignment of Polymorphic-Disease-Associated Protein Aggregates. Chembiochem 2023; 24:e202300044. [PMID: 36891883 PMCID: PMC10404026 DOI: 10.1002/cbic.202300044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2023] [Revised: 03/03/2023] [Accepted: 03/08/2023] [Indexed: 03/10/2023]
Abstract
The development of ligands for detecting protein aggregates is of great interest, as these aggregated proteinaceous species are the pathological hallmarks of several devastating diseases, including Alzheimer's disease. In this regard, thiophene-based ligands have emerged as powerful tools for fluorescent assessment of these pathological entities. The intrinsic conformationally sensitive photophysical properties of poly- and oligothiophenes have allowed optical assignment of disease-associated protein aggregates in tissue sections, as well as real-time in vivo imaging of protein deposits. Herein, we recount the chemical evolution of different generations of thiophene-based ligands, and exemplify their use for the optical distinction of polymorphic protein aggregates. Furthermore, the chemical determinants for achieving a superior fluorescent thiophene-based ligand, as well as the next generation of thiophene-based ligands targeting distinct aggregated species are described. Finally, the directions for future research into the chemical design of thiophene-based ligands that can aid in resolving the scientific challenges around protein aggregation diseases are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linnea Björk
- Department of Physics, Chemistry and Biology, Linköping University, 581 83, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Therése Klingstedt
- Department of Physics, Chemistry and Biology, Linköping University, 581 83, Linköping, Sweden
| | - K Peter R Nilsson
- Department of Physics, Chemistry and Biology, Linköping University, 581 83, Linköping, Sweden
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7
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L P Hosszu L, Sangar D, Batchelor M, Risse E, Hounslow AM, Collinge J, Waltho JP, Bieschke J. Loss of residues 119 - 136, including the first β-strand of human prion protein, generates an aggregation-competent partially "open" form. J Mol Biol 2023:168158. [PMID: 37244570 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2023.168158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2022] [Revised: 05/18/2023] [Accepted: 05/19/2023] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
In prion replication, the cellular form of prion protein (PrPC) must undergo a full conformational transition to its disease-associated fibrillar form. Transmembrane forms of PrP have been implicated in this structural conversion. The cooperative unfolding of a structural core in PrPC presents a substantial energy barrier to prion formation, with membrane insertion and detachment of parts of PrP presenting a plausible route to its reduction. Here, we examined the removal of residues 119 - 136 of PrP, a region which includes the first β-strand and a substantial portion of the conserved hydrophobic region of PrP, a region which associates with the ER membrane, on the structure, stability and self-association of the folded domain of PrPC. We see an "open" native-like conformer with increased solvent exposure which fibrilises more readily than the native state. These data suggest a stepwise folding transition, which is initiated by the conformational switch to this "open" form of PrPC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laszlo L P Hosszu
- MRC Prion Unit at UCL, UCL Institute of Prion Diseases, 33 Cleveland Street, London, W1W 7FF, UK
| | - Daljit Sangar
- MRC Prion Unit at UCL, UCL Institute of Prion Diseases, 33 Cleveland Street, London, W1W 7FF, UK
| | - Mark Batchelor
- MRC Prion Unit at UCL, UCL Institute of Prion Diseases, 33 Cleveland Street, London, W1W 7FF, UK
| | - Emmanuel Risse
- MRC Prion Unit at UCL, UCL Institute of Prion Diseases, 33 Cleveland Street, London, W1W 7FF, UK
| | - Andrea M Hounslow
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, University of Sheffield, Firth Court, Western Bank, Sheffield S10 2TN, UK
| | - John Collinge
- MRC Prion Unit at UCL, UCL Institute of Prion Diseases, 33 Cleveland Street, London, W1W 7FF, UK
| | - Jonathan P Waltho
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, University of Sheffield, Firth Court, Western Bank, Sheffield S10 2TN, UK; Manchester Institute of Biotechnology, University of Manchester, 131 Princess Street, Manchester, M1 7DN, UK
| | - Jan Bieschke
- MRC Prion Unit at UCL, UCL Institute of Prion Diseases, 33 Cleveland Street, London, W1W 7FF, UK.
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8
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Manka SW, Wenborn A, Betts J, Joiner S, Saibil HR, Collinge J, Wadsworth JDF. A structural basis for prion strain diversity. Nat Chem Biol 2023; 19:607-613. [PMID: 36646960 PMCID: PMC10154210 DOI: 10.1038/s41589-022-01229-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2022] [Accepted: 11/18/2022] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Recent cryogenic electron microscopy (cryo-EM) studies of infectious, ex vivo, prion fibrils from hamster 263K and mouse RML prion strains revealed a similar, parallel in-register intermolecular β-sheet (PIRIBS) amyloid architecture. Rungs of the fibrils are composed of individual prion protein (PrP) monomers that fold to create distinct N-terminal and C-terminal lobes. However, disparity in the hamster/mouse PrP sequence precludes understanding of how divergent prion strains emerge from an identical PrP substrate. In this study, we determined the near-atomic resolution cryo-EM structure of infectious, ex vivo mouse prion fibrils from the ME7 prion strain and compared this with the RML fibril structure. This structural comparison of two biologically distinct mouse-adapted prion strains suggests defined folding subdomains of PrP rungs and the way in which they are interrelated, providing a structural definition of intra-species prion strain-specific conformations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Szymon W Manka
- MRC Prion Unit at UCL, Institute of Prion Diseases, University College London, London, UK
| | - Adam Wenborn
- MRC Prion Unit at UCL, Institute of Prion Diseases, University College London, London, UK
| | - Jemma Betts
- MRC Prion Unit at UCL, Institute of Prion Diseases, University College London, London, UK
| | - Susan Joiner
- MRC Prion Unit at UCL, Institute of Prion Diseases, University College London, London, UK
| | - Helen R Saibil
- Department of Biological Sciences, Institute of Structural and Molecular Biology, Birkbeck College, University of London, London, UK.
| | - John Collinge
- MRC Prion Unit at UCL, Institute of Prion Diseases, University College London, London, UK.
| | - Jonathan D F Wadsworth
- MRC Prion Unit at UCL, Institute of Prion Diseases, University College London, London, UK.
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9
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Napper S, Schatzl HM. Oral vaccination as a potential strategy to manage chronic wasting disease in wild cervid populations. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1156451. [PMID: 37122761 PMCID: PMC10140515 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1156451] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2023] [Accepted: 03/31/2023] [Indexed: 05/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Prion diseases are a novel class of infectious disease based in the misfolding of the cellular prion protein (PrPC) into a pathological, self-propagating isoform (PrPSc). These fatal, untreatable neurodegenerative disorders affect a variety of species causing scrapie in sheep and goats, bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) in cattle, chronic wasting disease (CWD) in cervids, and Creutzfeldt-Jacob disease (CJD) in humans. Of the animal prion diseases, CWD is currently regarded as the most significant threat due its ongoing geographical spread, environmental persistence, uptake into plants, unpredictable evolution, and emerging evidence of zoonotic potential. The extensive efforts to manage CWD have been largely ineffective, highlighting the need for new disease management tools, including vaccines. Development of an effective CWD vaccine is challenged by the unique biology of these diseases, including the necessity, and associated dangers, of overcoming immune tolerance, as well the logistical challenges of vaccinating wild animals. Despite these obstacles, there has been encouraging progress towards the identification of safe, protective antigens as well as effective strategies of formulation and delivery that would enable oral delivery to wild cervids. In this review we highlight recent strategies for antigen selection and optimization, as well as considerations of various platforms for oral delivery, that will enable researchers to accelerate the rate at which candidate CWD vaccines are developed and evaluated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Scott Napper
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada
| | - Hermann M. Schatzl
- Calgary Prion Research Unit, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
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10
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Block AJ, Bartz JC. Prion strains: shining new light on old concepts. Cell Tissue Res 2023; 392:113-133. [PMID: 35796874 PMCID: PMC11318079 DOI: 10.1007/s00441-022-03665-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2022] [Accepted: 06/23/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Prion diseases are a group of inevitably fatal neurodegenerative disorders affecting numerous mammalian species, including humans. The existence of heritable phenotypes of disease in the natural host suggested that prions exist as distinct strains. Transmission of sheep scrapie to rodent models accelerated prion research, resulting in the isolation and characterization of numerous strains with distinct characteristics. These strains are grouped into categories based on the incubation period of disease in different strains of mice and also by how stable the strain properties were upon serial passage. These classical studies defined the host and agent parameters that affected strain properties, and, prior to the advent of the prion hypothesis, strain properties were hypothesized to be the result of mutations in a nucleic acid genome of a conventional pathogen. The development of the prion hypothesis challenged the paradigm of infectious agents, and, initially, the existence of strains was difficult to reconcile with a protein-only agent. In the decades since, much evidence has revealed how a protein-only infectious agent can perform complex biological functions. The prevailing hypothesis is that strain-specific conformations of PrPSc encode prion strain diversity. This hypothesis can provide a mechanism to explain the observed strain-specific differences in incubation period of disease, biochemical properties of PrPSc, tissue tropism, and subcellular patterns of pathology. This hypothesis also explains how prion strains mutate, evolve, and adapt to new species. These concepts are applicable to prion-like diseases such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease, where evidence of strain diversity is beginning to emerge.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alyssa J Block
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Creighton University, 2500 California Plaza, Omaha, NE, 68178, USA
| | - Jason C Bartz
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Creighton University, 2500 California Plaza, Omaha, NE, 68178, USA.
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11
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New developments in prion disease research. Cell Tissue Res 2023; 392:1-5. [PMID: 36918429 DOI: 10.1007/s00441-023-03760-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/16/2023]
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12
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Glynn C, Hernandez E, Gallagher-Jones M, Miao J, Sigurdson CJ, Rodriguez JA. Structural consequences of sequence variation in mammalian prion β2α2 loop segments. Front Neurosci 2022; 16:960322. [PMID: 36389229 PMCID: PMC9645039 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2022.960322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2022] [Accepted: 09/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Sequence variation in the β2α2 loop, residues 165-175 of the mammalian prion protein (PrP), influences its structure. To better understand the consequences of sequence variation in this region of the protein, we biochemically and biophysically interrogate natural and artificial sequence variants of the β2α2 loop of mammalian PrP. Using microcrystal electron diffraction (MicroED), we determine atomic resolution structures of segments encompassing residues 168-176 from the β2α2 loop of PrP with sequences corresponding to human, mouse/cow, bank vole/hamster, rabbit/pig/guinea pig, and naked mole rat (elk-T174S) β2α2 loops, as well as synthetic β2α2 loop sequences. This collection of structures presents two dominant amyloid packing polymorphisms. In the first polymorph, denoted "clasped", side chains within a sheet form polar clasps by facing each other on the same strand, exemplified by the mouse/cow, human, and bank vole/hamster sequences. Because its stability is derived from within a strand and through polar ladders within a sheet, the sequence requirements for the mating strand are less restrictive. A second polymorph, denoted "interdigitated," has sidechains interdigitate across mating sheets, exemplified by the elk, naked mole rat (elk T174S), and rabbit sequences. The two types of packing present distinct networks of stabilizing hydrogen bonds. The identity of residue 174 appears to strongly influence the packing adopted in these peptides, but consideration of the overall sequence of a given segment is needed to understand the stability of its assemblies. Incorporation of these β2α2 loop sequences into an 85 residue recombinant segment encoding wild-type bank vole PrP94-178 demonstrates that even single residue substitutions could impact fibril morphology as evaluated by negative stain electron microscopy. This is in line with recent findings supporting the accessibility of different structural geometries by varied mammalian prion sequences, and indicates that sequence-specific polymorphisms may be influenced by residues in the β2α2 loop.
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Affiliation(s)
- Calina Glynn
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, STROBE NSF Science and Technology Center, UCLA-DOE Institute for Genomics and Proteomics, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Evelyn Hernandez
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, STROBE NSF Science and Technology Center, UCLA-DOE Institute for Genomics and Proteomics, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Marcus Gallagher-Jones
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, STROBE NSF Science and Technology Center, UCLA-DOE Institute for Genomics and Proteomics, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Jennifer Miao
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, STROBE NSF Science and Technology Center, UCLA-DOE Institute for Genomics and Proteomics, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Christina J. Sigurdson
- Department of Pathology and Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States
| | - Jose A. Rodriguez
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, STROBE NSF Science and Technology Center, UCLA-DOE Institute for Genomics and Proteomics, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, United States
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13
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Photocatalytic Inactivation of Viruses and Prions: Multilevel Approach with Other Disinfectants. Appl Microbiol 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/applmicrobiol2040054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Ag, Cu, Zn, Ti, and Au nanoparticles show enhanced photocatalytic properties. Efficient indoor disinfection strategies are imperative to manage the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic. Virucidal agents, such as ethanol, sodium hypochlorite, 222-nm UV light, and electrolyzed water inactivate SARS-CoV-2 in indoor environments. Tungsten trioxide (WO3) photocatalyst and visible light disinfect abiotic surfaces against SARS-CoV-2. The titanium dioxide (TiO2)/UV system inactivates SARS-CoV-2 in aerosols and on deliberately contaminated TiO2-coated glass slide surfaces in photocatalytic chambers, wherein 405-nm UV light treatment for 20 min sterilizes the environment and generates reactive oxygen species (ROS) that inactivate the virus by targeting S and envelope proteins and viral RNA. Mesoscopic calcium bicarbonate solution (CAC-717) inactivates pathogens, such as prions, influenza virus, SARS-CoV-2, and noroviruses, in fluids; it presumably acts similarly on human and animal skin. The molecular complexity of cementitious materials promotes the photocatalysis of microorganisms. In combination, the two methods can reduce the pathogen load in the environment. As photocatalysts and CAC-717 are potent disinfectants for prions, disinfectants against prionoids could be developed by combining photocatalysis, gas plasma methodology, and CAC-717 treatment, especially for surgical devices and instruments.
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Espinosa JC, Marín‐Moreno A, Aguilar‐Calvo P, Torres JM. Met 166 -Glu 168 residues in human PrP β2-α2 loop account for evolutionary resistance to prion infection. Neuropathol Appl Neurobiol 2021; 47:506-518. [PMID: 33253417 PMCID: PMC8247420 DOI: 10.1111/nan.12676] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2020] [Revised: 11/06/2020] [Accepted: 11/17/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
AIMS The amino acid sequence of prion protein (PrP) is a key determinant in the transmissibility of prion diseases. While PrP sequence is highly conserved among mammalian species, minor changes in the PrP amino acid sequence may confer alterations in the transmissibility of prion diseases. Classical bovine spongiform encephalopathy (C-BSE) is the only zoonotic prion strain reported to date causing variant Creutzfeldt-Jacob disease (vCJD) in humans, although experimental transmission points to atypical L-BSE and some classical scrapie isolates as also zoonotic. The precise molecular elements in the human PrP sequence that limit the transmissibility of prion strains such as sheep/goat scrapie or cervid chronic wasting disease (CWD) are not well known. METHODS The transmissibility of a panel of diverse prions from different species was compared in transgenic mice expressing either wild-type human PrPC (MDE-HuTg340) or a mutated human PrPC harbouring Val166 -Gln168 amino acid changes (VDQ-HuTg372) in the β2-α2 loop instead of Met166 -Glu168 wild-type variants. RESULTS VDQ-HuTg372 mice were more susceptible to prions than MDE-HuTg340 mice in a strain-dependent manner. CONCLUSIONS Met166 -Glu168 amino acid residues present in wild-type human PrPC are molecular determinants that limit the propagation of most prion strains assayed in the human PrP context.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Patricia Aguilar‐Calvo
- Centro de Investigación en Sanidad Animal (INIA‐CISA)MadridSpain
- Present address:
Department of PathologyUC San DiegoLa JollaCAUSA
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15
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Arifin MI, Hannaoui S, Chang SC, Thapa S, Schatzl HM, Gilch S. Cervid Prion Protein Polymorphisms: Role in Chronic Wasting Disease Pathogenesis. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22052271. [PMID: 33668798 PMCID: PMC7956812 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22052271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2021] [Revised: 02/21/2021] [Accepted: 02/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is a prion disease found in both free-ranging and farmed cervids. Susceptibility of these animals to CWD is governed by various exogenous and endogenous factors. Past studies have demonstrated that polymorphisms within the prion protein (PrP) sequence itself affect an animal's susceptibility to CWD. PrP polymorphisms can modulate CWD pathogenesis in two ways: the ability of the endogenous prion protein (PrPC) to convert into infectious prions (PrPSc) or it can give rise to novel prion strains. In vivo studies in susceptible cervids, complemented by studies in transgenic mice expressing the corresponding cervid PrP sequence, show that each polymorphism has distinct effects on both PrPC and PrPSc. It is not entirely clear how these polymorphisms are responsible for these effects, but in vitro studies suggest they play a role in modifying PrP epitopes crucial for PrPC to PrPSc conversion and determining PrPC stability. PrP polymorphisms are unique to one or two cervid species and most confer a certain degree of reduced susceptibility to CWD. However, to date, there are no reports of polymorphic cervid PrP alleles providing absolute resistance to CWD. Studies on polymorphisms have focused on those found in CWD-endemic areas, with the hope that understanding the role of an animal's genetics in CWD can help to predict, contain, or prevent transmission of CWD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Immaculata Arifin
- Department of Comparative Biology & Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 4N1, Canada; (M.I.A.); (S.H.); (S.C.C.); (S.T.); (H.M.S.)
- Calgary Prion Research Unit, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 4N1, Canada
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 4N1, Canada
| | - Samia Hannaoui
- Department of Comparative Biology & Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 4N1, Canada; (M.I.A.); (S.H.); (S.C.C.); (S.T.); (H.M.S.)
- Calgary Prion Research Unit, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 4N1, Canada
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 4N1, Canada
| | - Sheng Chun Chang
- Department of Comparative Biology & Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 4N1, Canada; (M.I.A.); (S.H.); (S.C.C.); (S.T.); (H.M.S.)
- Calgary Prion Research Unit, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 4N1, Canada
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 4N1, Canada
| | - Simrika Thapa
- Department of Comparative Biology & Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 4N1, Canada; (M.I.A.); (S.H.); (S.C.C.); (S.T.); (H.M.S.)
- Calgary Prion Research Unit, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 4N1, Canada
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 4N1, Canada
| | - Hermann M. Schatzl
- Department of Comparative Biology & Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 4N1, Canada; (M.I.A.); (S.H.); (S.C.C.); (S.T.); (H.M.S.)
- Calgary Prion Research Unit, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 4N1, Canada
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 4N1, Canada
| | - Sabine Gilch
- Department of Comparative Biology & Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 4N1, Canada; (M.I.A.); (S.H.); (S.C.C.); (S.T.); (H.M.S.)
- Calgary Prion Research Unit, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 4N1, Canada
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 4N1, Canada
- Correspondence:
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16
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The First Report of the Prion Protein Gene ( PRNP) Sequence in Pekin Ducks ( Anas platyrhynchos domestica): The Potential Prion Disease Susceptibility in Ducks. Genes (Basel) 2021; 12:genes12020193. [PMID: 33525657 PMCID: PMC7911840 DOI: 10.3390/genes12020193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2020] [Revised: 01/15/2021] [Accepted: 01/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Pathogenic prion protein (PrPSc), converted from normal prion protein (PrPC), causes prion disease. Although prion disease has been reported in several mammalian species, chickens are known to show strong resistance to prion diseases. In addition to chickens, the domestic duck occupies a large proportion in the poultry industry and may be regarded as a potential resistant host against prion disease. However, the DNA sequence of the prion protein gene (PRNP) has not been reported in domestic ducks. Here, we performed amplicon sequencing targeting the duck PRNP gene with the genomic DNA of Pekin ducks. In addition, we aligned the PrP sequence of the Pekin duck with that of various species using ClustalW2 and carried out phylogenetic analysis using Molecular Evolutionary Genetics Analysis X (MEGA X). We also constructed the structural modeling of the tertiary and secondary structures in avian PrP using SWISS-MODEL. Last, we investigated the aggregation propensity on Pekin duck PrP using AMYCO. We first reported the DNA sequence of the PRNP gene in Pekin ducks and found that the PrP sequence of Pekin ducks is more similar to that of geese than to that of chickens and mallards (wild ducks). Interestingly, Pekin duck PrP showed a high proportion of β-sheets compared to that of chicken PrP, and a high aggregation propensity compared to that of avian PrPs. However, Pekin duck PrP with substitutions of chicken-specific amino acids showed reduced aggregation propensities. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on the genetic characteristics of the PRNP sequence in Pekin ducks.
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17
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Suzuki A, Sawada K, Yamasaki T, Denkers ND, Mathiason CK, Hoover EA, Horiuchi M. Involvement of N- and C-terminal region of recombinant cervid prion protein in its reactivity to CWD and atypical BSE prions in real-time quaking-induced conversion reaction in the presence of high concentrations of tissue homogenates. Prion 2020; 14:283-295. [PMID: 33345717 PMCID: PMC7757825 DOI: 10.1080/19336896.2020.1858694] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2020] [Revised: 11/25/2020] [Accepted: 11/25/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The real-time quaking-induced conversion (RT-QuIC) reaction is a sensitive and specific method for detecting prions. However, inhibitory factors present in tissue homogenates can easily interfere with this reaction. To identify the RT-QuIC condition under which low levels of chronic wasting disease (CWD) and bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) prions can be detected in the presence of high concentrations of brain tissue homogenates, reactivities of various recombinant prion proteins (rPrPs) were tested. Among the tested rPrPs, recombinant cervid PrP (rCerPrP) showed a unique reactivity: the reactivity of rCerPrP to CWD and atypical BSE prions was not highly affected by high concentrations of normal brain homogenates. The unique reactivity of rCerPrP disappeared when the N-terminal region (aa 25-93) was truncated. Replacement of aa 23-149 of mouse (Mo) PrP with the corresponding region of CerPrP partially restored the unique reactivity of rCerPrP in RT-QuIC. Replacement of the extreme C-terminal region of MoPrP aa 219-231 to the corresponding region of CerPrP partially conferred the unique reactivity of rCerPrP to rMoPrP, suggesting the involvement of both N- and C-terminal regions. Additionally, rCerN-Mo-CerCPrP, a chimeric PrP comprising CerPrP aa 25-153, MoPrP aa 150-218, and CerPrP aa 223-233, showed an additive effect of the N- and C-terminal regions. These results provide a mechanistic implication for detecting CWD and atypical BSE prions using rCerPrP and are useful for further improvements of RT-QuIC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akio Suzuki
- Laboratory of Veterinary Hygiene, Graduate School of Infectious Diseases, Hokkaido University, Kita-ku, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Kazuhei Sawada
- Laboratory of Veterinary Hygiene, Graduate School of Infectious Diseases, Hokkaido University, Kita-ku, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Takeshi Yamasaki
- Laboratory of Veterinary Hygiene, Graduate School of Infectious Diseases, Hokkaido University, Kita-ku, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Nathaniel D Denkers
- Prion Research Center, Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA
| | - Candace K Mathiason
- Prion Research Center, Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA
| | - Edward A Hoover
- Prion Research Center, Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA
| | - Motohiro Horiuchi
- Laboratory of Veterinary Hygiene, Graduate School of Infectious Diseases, Hokkaido University, Kita-ku, Sapporo, Japan
- Global Station for Zoonosis Control. Global Institute for Collaborative Research and Education, Hokkaido University, Kita-ku, Sapporo, Japan
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18
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Stepanchuk A, Tahir W, Nilsson KPR, Schatzl HM, Stys PK. Early detection of prion protein aggregation with a fluorescent pentameric oligothiophene probe using spectral confocal microscopy. J Neurochem 2020; 156:1033-1048. [PMID: 32799317 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.15148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2020] [Revised: 07/14/2020] [Accepted: 07/31/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Misfolding of the prion protein (PrP) and templating of its pathological conformation onto cognate proteins causes a number of lethal disorders of central nervous system in humans and animals, such as Creutzfeldt-Jacob disease, chronic wasting disease and bovine spongiform encephalopathy. Structural rearrangement of PrPC into PrPSc promotes aggregation of misfolded proteins into β-sheet-rich fibrils, which can be visualized by conformationally sensitive fluorescent probes. Early detection of prion misfolding and deposition might provide useful insights into its pathophysiology. Pentameric formyl thiophene acetic acid (pFTAA) is a novel amyloid probe that was shown to sensitively detect various misfolded proteins, including PrP. Here, we compared sensitivity of pFTAA staining and spectral microscopy with conventional methods of prion detection in mouse brains infected with mouse-adapted 22L prions. pFTAA bound to prion deposits in mouse brain sections exhibited a red-shifted fluorescence emission spectrum, which quantitatively increased with disease progression. Small prion deposits were detected as early as 50 days post-inoculation, well before appearance of clinical signs. Moreover, we detected significant spectral shifts in the greater brain parenchyma as early as 25 days post-inoculation, rivaling the most sensitive conventional method (real-time quaking-induced conversion). These results showcase the potential of pFTAA staining combined with spectral imaging for screening of prion-infected tissue. Not only does this method have comparable sensitivity to established techniques, it is faster and technically simpler. Finally, this readout provides valuable information about the spatial distribution of prion aggregates across tissue in the earliest stages of infection, potentially providing valuable pathophysiological insight into prion transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anastasiia Stepanchuk
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Waqas Tahir
- Calgary Prion Research Unit, Department of Comparative Biology & Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - K Peter R Nilsson
- Department of Physics, Chemistry and Biology, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Hermann M Schatzl
- Calgary Prion Research Unit, Department of Comparative Biology & Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Peter K Stys
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
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19
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Arshad H, Bourkas MEC, Watts JC. The utility of bank voles for studying prion disease. PROGRESS IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND TRANSLATIONAL SCIENCE 2020; 175:179-211. [PMID: 32958232 DOI: 10.1016/bs.pmbts.2020.08.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
The transmission of prions between species is typically an inefficient process due to the species barrier, which represents incompatibility between prion seed and substrate molecules. Bank voles (Myodes glareolus) are an exception to this rule, as they are susceptible to a diverse range of prion strains from many different animal species. In particular, bank voles can be efficiently infected with most types of human prions and have played a critical role in validating variably protease-sensitive prionopathy (VPSPr) and certain forms of Gerstmann-Sträussler-Scheinker (GSS) disease as bona fide prion disorders rather than non-transmissible proteinopathies. The bank vole prion protein (BVPrP) confers a "universal prion acceptor" phenotype when expressed in mice and when used as a substrate for in vitro prion amplification assays, indicating that the unique prion transmission properties of bank voles are mediated by BVPrP. Over-expression of BVPrP in mice can also promote the spontaneous development of prion disease, indicating that BVPrP is intrinsically prone to both spontaneous and template-directed misfolding. Here, we discuss the utility of bank voles and BVPrP for prion research and how they have provided new tools for establishing rapid animal bioassays, modeling spontaneous prion disease, standardizing prion diagnostics, and understanding the molecular basis of the species barrier.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hamza Arshad
- Tanz Centre for Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada; Department of Biochemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Matthew E C Bourkas
- Tanz Centre for Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada; Department of Biochemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Joel C Watts
- Tanz Centre for Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada; Department of Biochemistry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
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20
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Identification of a homology-independent linchpin domain controlling mouse and bank vole prion protein conversion. PLoS Pathog 2020; 16:e1008875. [PMID: 32898162 PMCID: PMC7508373 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1008875] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2020] [Revised: 09/22/2020] [Accepted: 08/11/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Prions are unorthodox pathogens that cause fatal neurodegenerative diseases in humans and other mammals. Prion propagation occurs through the self-templating of the pathogenic conformer PrPSc, onto the cell-expressed conformer, PrPC. Here we study the conversion of PrPC to PrPSc using a recombinant mouse PrPSc conformer (mouse protein-only recPrPSc) as a unique tool that can convert bank vole but not mouse PrPC substrates in vitro. Thus, its templating ability is not dependent on sequence homology with the substrate. In the present study, we used chimeric bank vole/mouse PrPC substrates to systematically determine the domain that allows for conversion by Mo protein-only recPrPSc. Our results show that that either the presence of the bank vole amino acid residues E227 and S230 or the absence of the second N-linked glycan are sufficient to allow PrPC substrates to be converted by Mo protein-only recPrPSc and several native infectious prion strains. We propose that residues 227 and 230 and the second glycan are part of a C-terminal domain that acts as a linchpin for bank vole and mouse prion conversion. Prions are unconventional infectious agents that lack nucleic acids such as DNA and RNA, and the mechanism by which prions replicate is not fully understood. It has been established that a central feature of the replication mechanism involves the misfolding of a host protein (PrPC) into an infectious shape termed PrPSc, but it is unclear how this misfolding occurs. Interestingly, it has been observed that a particular animal species, the European bank vole, is unusually susceptible to prion infection and that this near-universal susceptibility is caused by the specific PrPC sequence of this protein. Here we use a powerful and unique biochemical system to determine the specific region of bank vole PrPC that is primarily responsible for its propensity to misfold into PrPSc. This critical region, which is located at the extreme C-terminal end of the protein, appears to act as a linchpin domain that normally stabilizes the shape of PrPC and thereby regulates its misfolding into PrPSc.
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21
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Hosszu LLP, Conners R, Sangar D, Batchelor M, Sawyer EB, Fisher S, Cliff MJ, Hounslow AM, McAuley K, Leo Brady R, Jackson GS, Bieschke J, Waltho JP, Collinge J. Structural effects of the highly protective V127 polymorphism on human prion protein. Commun Biol 2020; 3:402. [PMID: 32728168 PMCID: PMC7391680 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-020-01126-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2019] [Accepted: 07/03/2020] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Prion diseases, a group of incurable, lethal neurodegenerative disorders of mammals including humans, are caused by prions, assemblies of misfolded host prion protein (PrP). A single point mutation (G127V) in human PrP prevents prion disease, however the structural basis for its protective effect remains unknown. Here we show that the mutation alters and constrains the PrP backbone conformation preceding the PrP β-sheet, stabilising PrP dimer interactions by increasing intermolecular hydrogen bonding. It also markedly changes the solution dynamics of the β2-α2 loop, a region of PrP structure implicated in prion transmission and cross-species susceptibility. Both of these structural changes may affect access to protein conformers susceptible to prion formation and explain its profound effect on prion disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laszlo L P Hosszu
- MRC Prion Unit at UCL, UCL Institute of Prion Diseases, 33 Cleveland Street, London, W1W 7FF, UK
| | - Rebecca Conners
- MRC Prion Unit at UCL, UCL Institute of Prion Diseases, 33 Cleveland Street, London, W1W 7FF, UK
- University of Bristol, School of Biochemistry, Biomedical Sciences Building, University Walk, Clifton, BS8 1TD, UK
- Living Systems Institute, University of Exeter, Stocker Road, Exeter, EX4 4QD, UK
| | - Daljit Sangar
- MRC Prion Unit at UCL, UCL Institute of Prion Diseases, 33 Cleveland Street, London, W1W 7FF, UK
| | - Mark Batchelor
- MRC Prion Unit at UCL, UCL Institute of Prion Diseases, 33 Cleveland Street, London, W1W 7FF, UK
| | - Elizabeth B Sawyer
- MRC Prion Unit at UCL, UCL Institute of Prion Diseases, 33 Cleveland Street, London, W1W 7FF, UK
- London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London, WC1E 7HT, UK
| | - Stuart Fisher
- Diamond Light Source, Diamond House, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Didcot, Oxfordshire, OX11 0DE, UK
- ESRF, 71, Avenue des Martyrs, CS 40220, 38043, Grenoble Cedex 9, France
| | - Matthew J Cliff
- Manchester Institute of Biotechnology, University of Manchester, 131 Princess Street, Manchester, M1 7DN, UK
| | - Andrea M Hounslow
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, University of Sheffield, Firth Court, Western Bank, Sheffield, S10 2TN, UK
| | - Katherine McAuley
- Diamond Light Source, Diamond House, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Didcot, Oxfordshire, OX11 0DE, UK
| | - R Leo Brady
- University of Bristol, School of Biochemistry, Biomedical Sciences Building, University Walk, Clifton, BS8 1TD, UK
| | - Graham S Jackson
- MRC Prion Unit at UCL, UCL Institute of Prion Diseases, 33 Cleveland Street, London, W1W 7FF, UK
| | - Jan Bieschke
- MRC Prion Unit at UCL, UCL Institute of Prion Diseases, 33 Cleveland Street, London, W1W 7FF, UK
| | - Jonathan P Waltho
- Manchester Institute of Biotechnology, University of Manchester, 131 Princess Street, Manchester, M1 7DN, UK
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, University of Sheffield, Firth Court, Western Bank, Sheffield, S10 2TN, UK
| | - John Collinge
- MRC Prion Unit at UCL, UCL Institute of Prion Diseases, 33 Cleveland Street, London, W1W 7FF, UK.
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22
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Shida T, Kamatari YO, Yoda T, Yamaguchi Y, Feig M, Ohhashi Y, Sugita Y, Kuwata K, Tanaka M. Short disordered protein segment regulates cross-species transmission of a yeast prion. Nat Chem Biol 2020; 16:756-765. [PMID: 32284601 DOI: 10.1038/s41589-020-0516-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2018] [Accepted: 03/05/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Soluble prion proteins contingently encounter foreign prion aggregates, leading to cross-species prion transmission. However, how its efficiency is regulated by structural fluctuation of the host soluble prion protein remains unsolved. In the present study, through the use of two distantly related yeast prion Sup35 proteins, we found that a specific conformation of a short disordered segment governs interspecies prion transmissibility. Using a multidisciplinary approach including high-resolution NMR and molecular dynamics simulation, we identified critical residues within this segment that allow interspecies prion transmission in vitro and in vivo, by locally altering dynamics and conformation of soluble prion proteins. Remarkably, subtle conformational differences caused by a methylene group between asparagine and glutamine sufficed to change the short segment structure and substantially modulate the cross-seeding activity. Thus, our findings uncover how conformational dynamics of the short segment in the host prion protein impacts cross-species prion transmission. More broadly, our study provides mechanistic insights into cross-seeding between heterologous proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Toshinobu Shida
- Department of Biological Information, Graduate School of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Yokohama, Japan.,Laboratory for Protein Conformation Diseases, RIKEN Center for Brain Science, Wako, Japan
| | - Yuji O Kamatari
- Life Science Research Center, Gifu University, Gifu, Japan.,United Graduate School of Drug Discovery and Medical Information Sciences, Gifu University, Gifu, Japan
| | - Takao Yoda
- Nagahama Institute of Bio-Science and Technology, Nagahama, Japan.,Computational Biophysics Research Team, RIKEN Research Center for Computational Science, Kobe, Japan
| | - Yoshiki Yamaguchi
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tohoku Medical and Pharmaceutical University, Sendai, Japan.,RIKEN-Max Planck Joint Research Center, Wako, Japan
| | - Michael Feig
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA.,Laboratory for Biomolecular Function Simulation, RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, Kobe, Japan
| | - Yumiko Ohhashi
- Graduate School of Science, Kobe University, Kobe, Japan.,Department of Applied Chemistry, Tokyo University of Science, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yuji Sugita
- Computational Biophysics Research Team, RIKEN Research Center for Computational Science, Kobe, Japan.,Laboratory for Biomolecular Function Simulation, RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research, Kobe, Japan.,Theoretical Molecular Science Laboratory, RIKEN Cluster for Pioneering Research, Wako, Japan
| | - Kazuo Kuwata
- United Graduate School of Drug Discovery and Medical Information Sciences, Gifu University, Gifu, Japan
| | - Motomasa Tanaka
- Department of Biological Information, Graduate School of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Yokohama, Japan. .,Laboratory for Protein Conformation Diseases, RIKEN Center for Brain Science, Wako, Japan.
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23
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Espinosa JC, Marín-Moreno A, Aguilar-Calvo P, Benestad SL, Andreoletti O, Torres JM. Porcine Prion Protein as a Paradigm of Limited Susceptibility to Prion Strain Propagation. J Infect Dis 2020; 223:1103-1112. [PMID: 31919511 PMCID: PMC8006416 DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiz646] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2019] [Accepted: 12/20/2019] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Although experimental transmission of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) to pigs and transgenic mice expressing pig cellular prion protein (PrPC) (porcine PrP [PoPrP]-Tg001) has been described, no natural cases of prion diseases in pig were reported. This study analyzed pig-PrPC susceptibility to different prion strains using PoPrP-Tg001 mice either as animal bioassay or as substrate for protein misfolding cyclic amplification (PMCA). A panel of isolates representatives of different prion strains was selected, including classic and atypical/Nor98 scrapie, atypical-BSE, rodent scrapie, human Creutzfeldt-Jakob-disease and classic BSE from different species. Bioassay proved that PoPrP-Tg001-mice were susceptible only to the classic BSE agent, and PMCA results indicate that only classic BSE can convert pig-PrPC into scrapie-type PrP (PrPSc), independently of the species origin. Therefore, conformational flexibility constraints associated with pig-PrP would limit the number of permissible PrPSc conformations compatible with pig-PrPC, thus suggesting that pig-PrPC may constitute a paradigm of low conformational flexibility that could confer high resistance to the diversity of prion strains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Carlos Espinosa
- Centro de Investigación en Sanidad Animal (CISA-INIA), Valdeolmos, Madrid, Spain
| | - Alba Marín-Moreno
- Centro de Investigación en Sanidad Animal (CISA-INIA), Valdeolmos, Madrid, Spain
| | | | | | - Olivier Andreoletti
- UMR Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique (INRA)/École Nationale Vétérinaire de Toulouse (ENVT) 1225, Interactions Hôtes Agents Pathogènes, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire de Toulouse, Toulouse, France
| | - Juan María Torres
- Centro de Investigación en Sanidad Animal (CISA-INIA), Valdeolmos, Madrid, Spain
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24
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Salzano G, Brennich M, Mancini G, Tran TH, Legname G, D'Angelo P, Giachin G. Deciphering Copper Coordination in the Mammalian Prion Protein Amyloidogenic Domain. Biophys J 2020; 118:676-687. [PMID: 31952810 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpj.2019.12.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2019] [Revised: 12/19/2019] [Accepted: 12/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Prions are pathological isoforms of the cellular prion protein that is responsible for transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSE). Cellular prion protein interacts with copper, Cu(II), through octarepeat and nonoctarepeat (non-OR) binding sites. The molecular details of Cu(II) coordination within the non-OR region are not well characterized yet. By the means of small angle x-ray scattering and x-ray absorption spectroscopic methods, we have investigated the effect of Cu(II) on prion protein folding and its coordination geometries when bound to the non-OR region of recombinant prion proteins (recPrP) from mammalian species considered resistant or susceptible to TSE. As the prion resistant model, we used ovine recPrP (OvPrP) carrying the protective polymorphism at residues A136, R154, and R171, whereas as TSE-susceptible models, we employed OvPrP with V136, R154, and Q171 polymorphism and bank vole recPrP. Our analysis reveals that Cu(II) affects the structural plasticity of the non-OR region, leading to a more compacted conformation. We then identified two Cu(II) coordination geometries: in the type 1 coordination observed in OvPrP at residues A136, R154, and R171, the metal is coordinated by four residues; conversely, the type 2 coordination is present in OvPrP with V136, R154, and Q171 and bank vole recPrP, where Cu(II) is coordinated by three residues and by one water molecule, making the non-OR region more exposed to the solvent. These changes in copper coordination affect the recPrP amyloid aggregation. This study may provide new insights into the molecular mechanisms governing the resistance or susceptibility of certain species to TSE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Salzano
- Department of Neuroscience, Scuola Internazionale Superiore di Studi Avanzati (SISSA), Trieste, Italy
| | - Martha Brennich
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL), Grenoble Outstation, Grenoble, France
| | - Giordano Mancini
- Scuola Normale Superiore, Pisa, Italy; Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare (INFN), Pisa, Italy
| | - Thanh Hoa Tran
- Department of Neuroscience, Scuola Internazionale Superiore di Studi Avanzati (SISSA), Trieste, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Legname
- Department of Neuroscience, Scuola Internazionale Superiore di Studi Avanzati (SISSA), Trieste, Italy; ELETTRA-Sincrotrone Trieste S.C.p.A, Trieste, Italy
| | - Paola D'Angelo
- Department of Chemistry, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
| | - Gabriele Giachin
- European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (ESRF), Grenoble, France.
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25
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Güere ME, Våge J, Tharaldsen H, Benestad SL, Vikøren T, Madslien K, Hopp P, Rolandsen CM, Røed KH, Tranulis MA. Chronic wasting disease associated with prion protein gene ( PRNP) variation in Norwegian wild reindeer ( Rangifer tarandus). Prion 2019; 14:1-10. [PMID: 31852336 PMCID: PMC6959294 DOI: 10.1080/19336896.2019.1702446] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
The emergence of CWD in Europe in 2016 and the first natural infection in wild reindeer warranted disease management. This led to the testing of 2424 hunted or culled reindeer during 2016–2018, from the infected subpopulation in the Nordfjella mountain range in Southern Norway. To identify any association between PRNP variation and CWD susceptibility, we characterized the open reading frame of the PRNP gene in 19 CWD positive reindeer and in 101 age category- and sex-matched CWD negative controls. Seven variant positions were identified: 6 single nucleotide variants (SNVs) and a 24 base pair (bp) deletion located between nucleotide position 238 and 272, encoding four instead of five octapeptide repeats. With a single exception, all variant positions but one were predicted to be non-synonymous. The synonymous SNV and the deletion are novel in reindeer. Various combinations of the non-synonymous variant positions resulted in the identification of five PRNP alleles (A-E) that structured into 14 genotypes. We identified an increased CWD risk in reindeer carrying two copies of the most common allele, A, coding for serine in position 225 (Ser225) and in those carrying allele A together with the 24 bp deletion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariella E Güere
- Department of Basic Sciences and Aquatic Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Oslo, Norway
| | - Jørn Våge
- Norwegian Veterinary Institute, Oslo, Norway
| | - Helene Tharaldsen
- Department of Basic Sciences and Aquatic Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Oslo, Norway
| | | | | | | | - Petter Hopp
- Norwegian Veterinary Institute, Oslo, Norway
| | | | - Knut H Røed
- Department of Basic Sciences and Aquatic Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Oslo, Norway
| | - Michael A Tranulis
- Department of Basic Sciences and Aquatic Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Oslo, Norway
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26
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Abskharon R, Wang F, Wohlkonig A, Ruan J, Soror S, Giachin G, Pardon E, Zou W, Legname G, Ma J, Steyaert J. Structural evidence for the critical role of the prion protein hydrophobic region in forming an infectious prion. PLoS Pathog 2019; 15:e1008139. [PMID: 31815959 PMCID: PMC6922452 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1008139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2019] [Revised: 12/19/2019] [Accepted: 10/09/2019] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Prion or PrPSc is the proteinaceous infectious agent causing prion diseases in various mammalian species. Despite decades of research, the structural basis for PrPSc formation and prion infectivity remains elusive. To understand the role of the hydrophobic region in forming infectious prion at the molecular level, we report X-ray crystal structures of mouse (Mo) prion protein (PrP) (residues 89-230) in complex with a nanobody (Nb484). Using the recombinant prion propagation system, we show that the binding of Nb484 to the hydrophobic region of MoPrP efficiently inhibits the propagation of proteinase K resistant PrPSc and prion infectivity. In addition, when added to cultured mouse brain slices in high concentrations, Nb484 exhibits no neurotoxicity, which is drastically different from other neurotoxic anti-PrP antibodies, suggesting that the Nb484 can be a potential therapeutic agent against prion disease. In summary, our data provides the first structure-function evidence supporting a crucial role of the hydrophobic region of PrP in forming an infectious prion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Romany Abskharon
- Structural Biology Brussels, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Brussels, Belgium
- VIB-VUB Center for Structural Biology, Vlaams Instituut Biotechnologie (VIB), Brussels, Belgium
- Center for Neurodegenerative Science, Van Andel Institute, Grand Rapids, Michigan, United States of America
- National Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries (NIOF), Cairo, Egypt
| | - Fei Wang
- Center for Neurodegenerative Science, Van Andel Institute, Grand Rapids, Michigan, United States of America
- * E-mail: (FW); (JM); (JS)
| | - Alexandre Wohlkonig
- Structural Biology Brussels, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Brussels, Belgium
- VIB-VUB Center for Structural Biology, Vlaams Instituut Biotechnologie (VIB), Brussels, Belgium
| | - Juxin Ruan
- Center for Neurodegenerative Science, Van Andel Institute, Grand Rapids, Michigan, United States of America
| | - Sameh Soror
- Structural Biology Brussels, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Brussels, Belgium
- VIB-VUB Center for Structural Biology, Vlaams Instituut Biotechnologie (VIB), Brussels, Belgium
- Center of Excellence, Helwan Structural Biology Research, Faculty of Pharmacy, Helwan University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Gabriele Giachin
- Structural Biology Group, European Synchrotron Radiation Facility, Grenoble, France
| | - Els Pardon
- Structural Biology Brussels, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Brussels, Belgium
- VIB-VUB Center for Structural Biology, Vlaams Instituut Biotechnologie (VIB), Brussels, Belgium
| | - Wenquan Zou
- Departments of Pathology and Neurology, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Giuseppe Legname
- Laboratory of Prion Biology, Department of Neuroscience, Scuola Internazionale Superiore di Studi Avanzati (SISSA), Trieste, Italy
| | - Jiyan Ma
- Center for Neurodegenerative Science, Van Andel Institute, Grand Rapids, Michigan, United States of America
- * E-mail: (FW); (JM); (JS)
| | - Jan Steyaert
- Structural Biology Brussels, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Brussels, Belgium
- VIB-VUB Center for Structural Biology, Vlaams Instituut Biotechnologie (VIB), Brussels, Belgium
- * E-mail: (FW); (JM); (JS)
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27
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Slapšak U, Salzano G, Ilc G, Giachin G, Bian J, Telling G, Legname G, Plavec J. Unique Structural Features of Mule Deer Prion Protein Provide Insights into Chronic Wasting Disease. ACS OMEGA 2019; 4:19913-19924. [PMID: 31788624 PMCID: PMC6882122 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.9b02824] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2019] [Accepted: 11/06/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is a highly infectious prion disease of cervids. Accumulation of prions, the disease-specific structural conformers of the cellular prion protein (PrPC), in the central nervous system, is the key pathological event of the disorder. The analysis of cervid PrPC sequences revealed the existence of polymorphism at position 226, in which deer PrP contains glutamine (Q), whereas elk PrP contains glutamate (E). The effects of this polymorphism on CWD are still unknown. We determined the high-resolution nuclear magnetic resonance structure of the mule deer prion protein that was compared to previously published PrP structures of elk and white-tailed deer. We found that the polymorphism Q226E could influence the long-range intramolecular interactions and packing of the β2-α2 loop and the C-terminus of the α3 helix of cervid PrP structures. This solvent-accessible epitope is believed to be involved in prion conversion. Additional differences were observed at the beginning of the well-defined C-terminus domain, in the α2-α3 region, and in its interactions with the α1 helix. Here, we highlight the importance of the PrP structure in prion susceptibility and how single amino acid differences might influence the overall protein folding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Urška Slapšak
- Slovenian NMR Centre, National Institute of Chemistry, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Giulia Salzano
- Laboratory of Prion Biology, Department
of Neuroscience, Scuola Internazionale Superiore
di Studi Avanzati (SISSA), Via Bonomea 265, I-34136 Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Gregor Ilc
- Slovenian NMR Centre, National Institute of Chemistry, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- EN-FIST Centre of Excellence, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Gabriele Giachin
- Laboratory of Prion Biology, Department
of Neuroscience, Scuola Internazionale Superiore
di Studi Avanzati (SISSA), Via Bonomea 265, I-34136 Trieste, Trieste, Italy
- Structural
Biology Group, European Synchrotron Radiation
Facility (ESRF), 38000 Grenoble, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, France
| | - Jifeng Bian
- Prion Research Center (PRC) and Department of Microbiology,
Immunology and Pathology, Colorado State
University, Fort Collins, Colorado 80525, United States
| | - Glenn Telling
- Prion Research Center (PRC) and Department of Microbiology,
Immunology and Pathology, Colorado State
University, Fort Collins, Colorado 80525, United States
| | - Giuseppe Legname
- Laboratory of Prion Biology, Department
of Neuroscience, Scuola Internazionale Superiore
di Studi Avanzati (SISSA), Via Bonomea 265, I-34136 Trieste, Trieste, Italy
- ELETTRA-Sincrotrone Trieste S.C.p.A, 34149 Trieste, Friuli Venezia Giulia, Italy
| | - Janez Plavec
- Slovenian NMR Centre, National Institute of Chemistry, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- EN-FIST Centre of Excellence, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Faculty of Chemistry and
Chemical Technology, University of Ljubljana, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
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28
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Espinosa JC, Comoy EE, Marin-Moreno A, Aguilar-Calvo P, Birling MC, Pitarch JL, Deslys JP, Torres JM. Transgenic mouse models expressing human and macaque prion protein exhibit similar prion susceptibility on a strain-dependent manner. Sci Rep 2019; 9:15699. [PMID: 31666632 PMCID: PMC6821920 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-52155-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2018] [Accepted: 09/27/2019] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Cynomolgus macaque has been used for the evaluation of the zoonotic potential of prion diseases, especially for classical-Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (classical-BSE) infectious agent. PrP amino acid sequence is considered to play a key role in the susceptibility to prion strains and only one amino acid change may alter this susceptibility. Macaque and human-PrP sequences have only nine amino acid differences, but the effect of these amino acid changes in the susceptibility to dissimilar prion strains is unknown. In this work, the transmissibility of a panel of different prions from several species was compared in transgenic mice expressing either macaque-PrPC (TgMac) or human-PrPC (Hu-Tg340). Similarities in the transmissibility of most prion strains were observed suggesting that macaque is an adequate model for the evaluation of human susceptibility to most of the prion strains tested. Interestingly, TgMac were more susceptible to classical-BSE strain infection than Hu-Tg340. This differential susceptibility to classical-BSE transmission should be taken into account for the interpretation of the results obtained in macaques. It could notably explain why the macaque model turned out to be so efficient (worst case model) until now to model human situation towards classical-BSE despite the limited number of animals inoculated in the laboratory experiments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Carlos Espinosa
- Centro de Investigación en Sanidad Animal (INIA-CISA), 28130, Valdeolmos, Madrid, Spain.
| | - Emmanuel E Comoy
- CEA, Institut François Jacob, Université Paris-Saclay, 18 Route du Panorama, 92265, Fontenay-aux-Roses, France
| | - Alba Marin-Moreno
- Centro de Investigación en Sanidad Animal (INIA-CISA), 28130, Valdeolmos, Madrid, Spain
| | | | | | - José Luis Pitarch
- Centro de Investigación en Sanidad Animal (INIA-CISA), 28130, Valdeolmos, Madrid, Spain
| | - Jean-Philippe Deslys
- CEA, Institut François Jacob, Université Paris-Saclay, 18 Route du Panorama, 92265, Fontenay-aux-Roses, France
| | - Juan María Torres
- Centro de Investigación en Sanidad Animal (INIA-CISA), 28130, Valdeolmos, Madrid, Spain.
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29
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Baral PK, Yin J, Aguzzi A, James MNG. Transition of the prion protein from a structured cellular form (PrP C ) to the infectious scrapie agent (PrP Sc ). Protein Sci 2019; 28:2055-2063. [PMID: 31583788 DOI: 10.1002/pro.3735] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2019] [Revised: 09/11/2019] [Accepted: 09/12/2019] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Prion diseases in mammals are caused by a conformational transition of the cellular prion protein from its native conformation (PrPC ) to a pathological isoform called "prion protein scrapie" (PrPSc ). A molecular level of understanding of this conformational transition will be helpful in unveiling the disease etiology. Experimental structural biological techniques (NMR and X-ray crystallography) have been used to unravel the atomic level structural information for the prion and its binding partners. More than one hundred three-dimensional structures of the mammalian prions have been deposited in the protein databank. Structural studies on the prion protein and its structural transitions will deepen our understanding of the molecular basis of prion pathogenesis and will provide valuable guidance for future structure-based drug discovery endeavors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pravas K Baral
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Jiang Yin
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Adriano Aguzzi
- Institute of Neuropathology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Michael N G James
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
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30
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Ma T, Deng J, Ma S, Zhao W, Chang Z, Yu K, Yang J. Structural Mechanism of Barriers to Interspecies Seeding Transmissibility of Full-Length Prion Protein Amyloid. Chembiochem 2019; 20:2757-2766. [PMID: 31161647 DOI: 10.1002/cbic.201900218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
A puzzling feature of prion diseases is the cross-species barriers. The detailed molecular mechanisms underlying these interspecies barriers remain poorly understood because of a lack of high-resolution structural information on the scrapie isoform of the prion protein (PrPSc ). In this study we identified the critical role of the residues 165/167 in the barrier to seeding mouse PrP (mPrP) fibril seeds to human cellular prion protein (PrPC ). Solid-state NMR revealed a C-terminal β-sheet core spanning residues 165-230 and the packing arrangement of mPrP fibrils. Residues 165/167 are located on one end of the fibril core. Molecular dynamics simulations demonstrated that the stabilities of the seeding-induced β-strand structures are significantly impacted by hydrogen bonds involving the side chain of residue 167 and steric resistance involving residue 165. These findings suggest that the α2-β2 loop containing residues 165/167 could be the initial site of seed-template conformational conversion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tao Ma
- National Center for Magnetic Resonance in Wuhan, Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance in Biological Systems, State Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance and, Atomic and Molecular Physics, Wuhan Institute of Physics and Mathematics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, P. R. China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, P. R. China
| | - Jing Deng
- National Center for Magnetic Resonance in Wuhan, Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance in Biological Systems, State Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance and, Atomic and Molecular Physics, Wuhan Institute of Physics and Mathematics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, P. R. China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, P. R. China
| | - Shaojie Ma
- National Center for Magnetic Resonance in Wuhan, Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance in Biological Systems, State Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance and, Atomic and Molecular Physics, Wuhan Institute of Physics and Mathematics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, P. R. China.,College of Life Science & Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430071, P. R. China
| | - Weijing Zhao
- National Center for Magnetic Resonance in Wuhan, Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance in Biological Systems, State Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance and, Atomic and Molecular Physics, Wuhan Institute of Physics and Mathematics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, P. R. China
| | - Ziwei Chang
- National Center for Magnetic Resonance in Wuhan, Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance in Biological Systems, State Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance and, Atomic and Molecular Physics, Wuhan Institute of Physics and Mathematics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, P. R. China
| | - Kunqian Yu
- Drug Discovery and Design Center, CAS Key Laboratory of Receptor Research, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, P. R. China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, P. R. China
| | - Jun Yang
- National Center for Magnetic Resonance in Wuhan, Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance in Biological Systems, State Key Laboratory of Magnetic Resonance and, Atomic and Molecular Physics, Wuhan Institute of Physics and Mathematics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, P. R. China.,College of Life Science & Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430071, P. R. China
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31
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Abstract
Prion diseases are progressive, incurable and fatal neurodegenerative conditions. The term 'prion' was first nominated to express the revolutionary concept that a protein could be infectious. We now know that prions consist of PrPSc, the pathological aggregated form of the cellular prion protein PrPC. Over the years, the term has been semantically broadened to describe aggregates irrespective of their infectivity, and the prion concept is now being applied, perhaps overenthusiastically, to all neurodegenerative diseases that involve protein aggregation. Indeed, recent studies suggest that prion diseases (PrDs) and protein misfolding disorders (PMDs) share some common disease mechanisms, which could have implications for potential treatments. Nevertheless, the transmissibility of bona fide prions is unique, and PrDs should be considered as distinct from other PMDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Scheckel
- Institute of Neuropathology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Adriano Aguzzi
- Institute of Neuropathology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
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32
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Harrathi C, Fernández-Borges N, Eraña H, Elezgarai SR, Venegas V, Charco JM, Castilla J. Insights into the Bidirectional Properties of the Sheep-Deer Prion Transmission Barrier. Mol Neurobiol 2018; 56:5287-5303. [PMID: 30592012 PMCID: PMC6614146 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-018-1443-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2018] [Accepted: 11/30/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The large chronic wasting disease (CWD)-affected cervid population in the USA and Canada, and the risk of the disease being transmitted to humans through intermediate species, is a highly worrying issue that is still poorly understood. In this case, recombinant protein misfolding cyclic amplification was used to determine, in vitro, the relevance of each individual amino acid on cross-species prion transmission. Others and we have found that the β2-α2 loop is a key modulator of transmission barriers between species and markedly influences infection by sheep scrapie, bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), or elk CWD. Amino acids that differentiate ovine and deer normal host prion protein (PrPC) and associated with structural rigidity of the loop β2-α2 (S173N, N177T) appear to confer resistance to some prion diseases. However, addition of methionine at codon 208 together with the previously described rigid loop substitutions seems to hide a key in this species barrier, as it makes sheep recombinant prion protein highly susceptible to CWD-induced misfolding. These studies indicate that interspecies prion transmission is not only governed just by the β2-α2 loop amino acid sequence but also by its interactions with the α3-helix as shown by substitution I208M. Transmissible spongiform encephalopathies, characterized by long incubation periods and spongiform changes associated with neuronal loss in the brain, have been described in several mammalian species appearing either naturally (scrapie in sheep and goats, bovine spongiform encephalopathy in cattle, chronic wasting disease in cervids, Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease in humans) or by experimental transmission studies (scrapie in mice and hamsters). Much of the pathogenesis of the prion diseases has been determined in the last 40 years, such as the etiological agent or the fact that prions occur as different strains that show distinct biological and physicochemical properties. However, there are many unanswered questions regarding the strain phenomenon and interspecies transmissibility. To assess the risk of interspecies transmission between scrapie and chronic wasting disease, an in vitro prion propagation method has been used. This technique allows to predict the amino acids preventing the transmission between sheep and deer prion diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chafik Harrathi
- CIC bioGUNE, Parque tecnológico de Bizkaia, 48160, Derio, Bizkaia, Spain
| | | | - Hasier Eraña
- CIC bioGUNE, Parque tecnológico de Bizkaia, 48160, Derio, Bizkaia, Spain
| | - Saioa R Elezgarai
- CIC bioGUNE, Parque tecnológico de Bizkaia, 48160, Derio, Bizkaia, Spain
| | - Vanessa Venegas
- CIC bioGUNE, Parque tecnológico de Bizkaia, 48160, Derio, Bizkaia, Spain
| | - Jorge M Charco
- CIC bioGUNE, Parque tecnológico de Bizkaia, 48160, Derio, Bizkaia, Spain
| | - Joaquín Castilla
- CIC bioGUNE, Parque tecnológico de Bizkaia, 48160, Derio, Bizkaia, Spain. .,IKERBASQUE, Basque Foundation for Science, 48011, Bilbao, Bizkaia, Spain.
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33
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Glaves JP, Ladner-Keay CL, Bjorndahl TC, Wishart DS, Sykes BD. Erratum to Residue-specific mobility changes in soluble oligomers of the prion protein define regions involved in aggregation, BBAPAP (2018) 982-988. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA. PROTEINS AND PROTEOMICS 2018; 1866:1199-1200. [PMID: 30077003 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbapap.2018.07.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- John Paul Glaves
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton T6G 2H7, Canada
| | - Carol L Ladner-Keay
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton T6G 2E9, Canada
| | - Trent C Bjorndahl
- Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton T6G 2M9, Canada
| | - David S Wishart
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton T6G 2E9, Canada.
| | - Brian D Sykes
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton T6G 2H7, Canada
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34
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Sanchez-Garcia J, Fernandez-Funez P. D159 and S167 are protective residues in the prion protein from dog and horse, two prion-resistant animals. Neurobiol Dis 2018; 119:1-12. [PMID: 30010001 PMCID: PMC6139044 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2018.07.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2017] [Revised: 06/07/2018] [Accepted: 07/11/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Prion diseases are fatal neurodegenerative diseases caused by misfolding of the prion protein (PrP). These conditions affect humans and animals, including endemic forms in sheep and deer. Bovine, rodents, and many zoo mammals also developed prion diseases during the "mad-cow" epidemic in the 1980's. Interestingly, rabbits, horses, and dogs show unusual resistance to prion diseases, suggesting that specific sequence changes in the corresponding endogenous PrP prevents the accumulation of pathogenic conformations. In vitro misfolding assays and structural studies have identified S174, S167, and D159 as the key residues mediating the stability of rabbit, horse, and dog PrP, respectively. Here, we expressed the WT forms of rabbit, horse, and dog PrP in transgenic Drosophila and found that none of them is toxic. Replacing these key residues with the corresponding amino acids in hamster PrP showed that mutant horse (S167D) and dog (D159N) PrP are highly toxic, whereas mutant rabbit (S174 N) PrP is not. These results confirm the impact of S167 and D159 in local and long-range structural features in the globular domain of PrP that increase its stability, while suggesting the role of additional residues in the stability of rabbit PrP. Identifying these protective amino acids and the structural features that stabilize PrP can contribute to advance the field towards the development of therapies that halt or reverse the devastating effects of prion diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonatan Sanchez-Garcia
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Minnesota Medical School, Duluth Campus, Duluth, MN 55812, USA
| | - Pedro Fernandez-Funez
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Minnesota Medical School, Duluth Campus, Duluth, MN 55812, USA.
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Benestad SL, Telling GC. Chronic wasting disease: an evolving prion disease of cervids. HANDBOOK OF CLINICAL NEUROLOGY 2018; 153:135-151. [PMID: 29887133 DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-444-63945-5.00008-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is a relatively new and burgeoning prion epidemic of deer, elk, reindeer, and moose, which are members of the cervid family. While the disease was first described in captive deer, its subsequent discovery in various species of free-ranging animals makes it the only currently recognized prion disorder of both wild and farmed animals. In addition to its expanding range of host species, CWD continues to spread from North America to new geographic areas, including South Korea, and most recently Norway, marking the first time this disease was detected in Europe. Its unparalleled efficiency of contagious transmission, combined with high densities of deer in certain areas, complicates strategies for controlling CWD, raising concerns about its potential for spread to new species. Because there is a high prevalence of CWD in deer and elk, which are commonly hunted and consumed by humans, and since prions from cattle with bovine spongiform encephalopathy have been transmitted to humans causing variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, the possibility of zoonotic transmission of CWD is particularly concerning. Here we review the clinical and pathologic features of CWD and its disturbing epidemiology, and discuss features that affect its transmission, including genetic susceptibility, pathogenesis, and agent strain variability. Finally, we discuss evidence that speaks to the potential for zoonotic transmission of this emerging disease.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Glenn C Telling
- Prion Research Center (PRC) and the Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, United States.
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Taguchi Y, Lu L, Marrero-Winkens C, Otaki H, Nishida N, Schatzl HM. Disulfide-crosslink scanning reveals prion-induced conformational changes and prion strain-specific structures of the pathological prion protein PrP Sc. J Biol Chem 2018; 293:12730-12740. [PMID: 29934306 PMCID: PMC6102138 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra117.001633] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2017] [Revised: 06/15/2018] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Prions are composed solely of the pathological isoform (PrPSc) of the normal cellular prion protein (PrPC). Identification of different PrPSc structures is crucially important for understanding prion biology because the pathogenic properties of prions are hypothesized to be encoded in the structures of PrPSc However, these structures remain yet to be identified, because of the incompatibility of PrPSc with conventional high-resolution structural analysis methods. Previously, we reported that the region between the first and the second α-helix (H1∼H2) of PrPC might cooperate with the more C-terminal side region for efficient interactions with PrPSc From this starting point, we created a series of PrP variants with two cysteine substitutions (C;C-PrP) forming a disulfide-crosslink between H1∼H2 and the distal region of the third helix (Ctrm). We then assessed the conversion capabilities of the C;C-PrP variants in N2a cells infected with mouse-adapted scrapie prions (22L-ScN2a). Specifically, Cys substitutions at residues 165, 166, or 168 in H1∼H2 were combined with cysteine scanning along Ctrm residues 220-229. We found that C;C-PrPs are expressed normally with glycosylation patterns and subcellular localization similar to WT PrP, albeit differing in expression levels. Interestingly, some C;C-PrPs converted to protease-resistant isoforms in the 22L-ScN2a cells, but not in Fukuoka1 prion-infected cells. Crosslink patterns of convertible C;C-PrPs indicated a positional change of H1∼H2 toward Ctrm in PrPSc-induced conformational conversion. Given the properties of the C;C-PrPs reported here, we propose that these PrP variants may be useful tools for investigating prion strain-specific structures and structure-phenotype relationships of PrPSc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuzuru Taguchi
- Department of Comparative Biology and Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta T2N 4Z6, Canada; Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Division of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki 852-8523, Japan.
| | - Li Lu
- Department of Comparative Biology and Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta T2N 4Z6, Canada; Calgary Prion Research Unit, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Cristobal Marrero-Winkens
- Department of Comparative Biology and Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta T2N 4Z6, Canada; Calgary Prion Research Unit, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Hiroki Otaki
- Center for Bioinformatics and Molecular Medicine, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki 852-8523, Japan
| | - Noriyuki Nishida
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, Division of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki 852-8523, Japan
| | - Hermann M Schatzl
- Department of Comparative Biology and Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta T2N 4Z6, Canada; Calgary Prion Research Unit, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
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Glaves JP, Ladner-Keay CL, Bjorndahl TC, Wishart DS, Sykes BD. Residue-specific mobility changes in soluble oligomers of the prion protein define regions involved in aggregation. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-PROTEINS AND PROTEOMICS 2018; 1866:982-988. [PMID: 29935976 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbapap.2018.06.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2018] [Revised: 06/15/2018] [Accepted: 06/20/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Prion (PrP) diseases are neurodegenerative diseases characterized by the formation of β-sheet rich, insoluble and protease resistant protein deposits (called PrPSc) that occur throughout the brain. Formation of synthetic or in vitro PrPSc can occur through on-pathway toxic oligomers. Similarly, toxic and infectious oligomers identified in cell and animal models of prion disease indicate that soluble oligomers are likely intermediates in the formation of insoluble PrPSc. Despite the critical role of prion oligomers in disease progression, little is known about their structure. In order, to obtain structural insight into prion oligomers, we generated oligomers by shaking-induced conversion of recombinant, monomeric prion protein PrPc (spanning residues 90-231). We then obtained two-dimensional solution NMR spectra of the PrPc monomer, a 40% converted oligomer, and a 94% converted oligomer. Heteronuclear single-quantum correlation (1H-15N) studies revealed that, in comparison to monomeric PrPc, the oligomer has intense amide peak signals in the N-terminal (residues 90-114) and C-terminal regions (residues 226-231). Furthermore, a core region with decreased mobility is revealed from residues ~127 to 225. Within this core oligomer region with decreased mobility, there is a pocket of increased amide peak signal corresponding to the middle of α-helix 2 and the loop between α-helices 2 and 3 in the PrPc monomer structure. Using high-resolution solution-state NMR, this work reveals detailed and divergent residue-specific changes in soluble oligomeric models of PrP.
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Affiliation(s)
- John Paul Glaves
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton T6G 2H7, Canada
| | - Carol L Ladner-Keay
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton T6G 2E9, Canada
| | - Trent C Bjorndahl
- Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton T6G 2M9, Canada
| | - David S Wishart
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton T6G 2E9, Canada.
| | - Brian D Sykes
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton T6G 2H7, Canada
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Moreno JA, Telling GC. Molecular Mechanisms of Chronic Wasting Disease Prion Propagation. Cold Spring Harb Perspect Med 2018; 8:cshperspect.a024448. [PMID: 28193766 DOI: 10.1101/cshperspect.a024448] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Prion disease epidemics, which have been unpredictable recurrences, are of significant concern for animal and human health. Examples include kuru, once the leading cause of death among the Fore people in Papua New Guinea and caused by mortuary feasting; bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) and its subsequent transmission to humans in the form of variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (vCJD), and repeated examples of large-scale prion disease epidemics in animals caused by contaminated vaccines. The etiology of chronic wasting disease (CWD), a relatively new and burgeoning prion epidemic in deer, elk, and moose (members of the cervid family), is more enigmatic. The disease was first described in captive and later in wild mule deer and subsequently in free-ranging as well as captive Rocky Mountain elk, white-tailed deer, and most recently moose. It is therefore the only recognized prion disorder of both wild and captive animals. In addition to its expanding range of hosts, CWD continues to spread to new geographical areas, including recent cases in Norway. The unparalleled efficiency of the contagious transmission of the disease combined with high densities of deer in certain areas of North America complicates strategies for controlling CWD and raises concerns about its potential spread to new species. Because there is a high prevalence of CWD in deer and elk, which are commonly hunted and consumed by humans, the possibility of zoonotic transmission is particularly concerning. Here, we review the current status of naturally occurring CWD and describe advances in our understanding of its molecular pathogenesis, as shown by studies of CWD prions in novel in vivo and in vitro systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie A Moreno
- Prion Research Center (PRC) and the Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado 80525
| | - Glenn C Telling
- Prion Research Center (PRC) and the Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado 80525
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Bera A, Biring S. A quantitative characterization of interaction between prion protein with nucleic acids. Biochem Biophys Rep 2018; 14:114-124. [PMID: 29872743 PMCID: PMC5986701 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrep.2018.04.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2017] [Revised: 04/10/2018] [Accepted: 04/12/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Binding of recombinant prion protein with small highly structured RNAs, prokaryotic and eukaryotic prion protein mRNA pseudoknots, tRNA and polyA has been studied by the change in fluorescence anisotropy of the intrinsic tryptophan groups of the protein. The affinities of these RNAs to the prion protein and the number of sites where the protein binds to the nucleic acids do not vary appreciably although the RNAs have very different compositions and structures. The binding parameters do not depend upon pH of the solution and show a poor co-operativity. The reactants form larger nucleoprotein complexes at pH 5 compared to that at neutral pH. The electrostatic force between the protein and nucleic acids dominates the binding interaction at neutral pH. In contrast, nucleic acid interaction with the incipient nonpolar groups exposed from the structured region of the prion protein dominates the reaction at pH 5. Prion protein of a particular species forms larger complexes with prion protein mRNA pseudoknots of the same species. The structure of the pseudoknots and not their base sequences probably dominates their interaction with prion protein. Possibilities of the conversion of the prion protein to its infectious form in the cytoplasm by nucleic acids have been discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alakesh Bera
- Infectiologie Animale et Santé Publique, Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique, 37380 Nouzilly, France
| | - Sajal Biring
- Department of Electronic Engineering and Organic Electronics Research Center, Ming-Chi University of Technology, 84 Gungjuan Rd., Taishan Dist., New Taipei City 24301, Taiwan
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In Vitro Approach To Identify Key Amino Acids in Low Susceptibility of Rabbit Prion Protein to Misfolding. J Virol 2017; 91:JVI.01543-17. [PMID: 28978705 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.01543-17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2017] [Accepted: 09/22/2017] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Prion diseases, or transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs), are a group of rare progressive neurodegenerative disorders caused by an abnormally folded prion protein (PrPSc). This is capable of transforming the normal cellular prion protein (PrPC) into new infectious PrPSc Interspecies prion transmissibility studies performed by experimental challenge and the outbreak of bovine spongiform encephalopathy that occurred in the late 1980s and 1990s showed that while some species (sheep, mice, and cats) are readily susceptible to TSEs, others are apparently resistant (rabbits, dogs, and horses) to the same agent. To study the mechanisms of low susceptibility to TSEs of certain species, the mouse-rabbit transmission barrier was used as a model. To identify which specific amino acid residues determine high or low susceptibility to PrPSc propagation, protein misfolding cyclic amplification (PMCA), which mimics PrPC-to-PrPSc conversion with accelerated kinetics, was used. This allowed amino acid substitutions in rabbit PrP and accurate analysis of misfolding propensities. Wild-type rabbit recombinant PrP could not be misfolded into a protease-resistant self-propagating isoform in vitro despite seeding with at least 12 different infectious prions from diverse origins. Therefore, rabbit recombinant PrP mutants were designed to contain every single amino acid substitution that distinguishes rabbit recombinant PrP from mouse recombinant PrP. Key amino acid residue substitutions were identified that make rabbit recombinant PrP susceptible to misfolding, and using these, protease-resistant misfolded recombinant rabbit PrP was generated. Additional studies characterized the mechanisms by which these critical amino acid residue substitutions increased the misfolding susceptibility of rabbit PrP.IMPORTANCE Prion disorders are invariably fatal, untreatable diseases typically associated with long incubation periods and characteristic spongiform changes associated with neuronal loss in the brain. Development of any treatment or preventative measure is dependent upon a detailed understanding of the pathogenesis of these diseases, and understanding the mechanism by which certain species appear to be resistant to TSEs is critical. Rabbits are highly resistant to naturally acquired TSEs, and even under experimental conditions, induction of clinical disease is not easy. Using recombinant rabbit PrP as a model, this study describes critical molecular determinants that confer this high resistance to transmissible spongiform encephalopathies.
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Kurt TD, Aguilar-Calvo P, Jiang L, Rodriguez JA, Alderson N, Eisenberg DS, Sigurdson CJ. Asparagine and glutamine ladders promote cross-species prion conversion. J Biol Chem 2017; 292:19076-19086. [PMID: 28931606 PMCID: PMC5704488 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m117.794107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2017] [Revised: 09/01/2017] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Prion transmission between species is governed in part by primary sequence similarity between the infectious prion aggregate, PrPSc, and the cellular prion protein of the host, PrPC A puzzling feature of prion formation is that certain PrPC sequences, such as that of bank vole, can be converted by a remarkably broad array of different mammalian prions, whereas others, such as rabbit, show robust resistance to cross-species prion conversion. To examine the structural determinants that confer susceptibility or resistance to prion conversion, we systematically tested over 40 PrPC variants of susceptible and resistant PrPC sequences in a prion conversion assay. Five key residue positions markedly impacted prion conversion, four of which were in steric zipper segments where side chains from amino acids tightly interdigitate in a dry interface. Strikingly, all five residue substitutions modulating prion conversion involved the gain or loss of an asparagine or glutamine residue. For two of the four positions, Asn and Gln residues were not interchangeable, revealing a strict requirement for either an Asn or Gln residue. Bank voles have a high number of Asn and Gln residues and a high Asn:Gln ratio. These findings suggest that a high number of Asn and Gln residues at specific positions may stabilize β-sheets and lower the energy barrier for cross-species prion transmission, potentially because of hydrogen bond networks from side chain amides forming extended Asn/Gln ladders. These data also suggest that multiple PrPC segments containing Asn/Gln residues may act in concert along a replicative interface to promote prion conversion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timothy D Kurt
- From the Departments of Pathology and Medicine, University of California at San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093
| | - Patricia Aguilar-Calvo
- From the Departments of Pathology and Medicine, University of California at San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093
| | - Lin Jiang
- the Department of Neurology, UCLA, Los Angeles, California 90095, and
| | - José A Rodriguez
- the UCLA-DOE Institute, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Los Angeles, California 90095
- the Molecular Biology Institute
- the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, and
| | - Nazilla Alderson
- From the Departments of Pathology and Medicine, University of California at San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093
| | - David S Eisenberg
- the UCLA-DOE Institute, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Los Angeles, California 90095
- the Molecular Biology Institute
| | - Christina J Sigurdson
- From the Departments of Pathology and Medicine, University of California at San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093,
- the Department of Pathology, Immunology, and Microbiology, University of California at Davis, Davis, California 95616
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Kanata E, Arsenakis M, Sklaviadis T. Caprine PrP variants harboring Asp-146, His-154 and Gln-211 alleles display reduced convertibility upon interaction with pathogenic murine prion protein in scrapie infected cells. Prion 2017; 10:391-408. [PMID: 27537339 DOI: 10.1080/19336896.2016.1199312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Scrapie, the prion disease of sheep and goats, is a devastating malady of small ruminants. Due to its infectious nature, epidemic outbreaks may occur in flocks/herds consisting of highly susceptible animals. Field studies identified scrapie-protective caprine PrP variants, harboring specific single amino acid changes (Met-142, Arg-143, Asp-146, Ser-146, His-154, Gln-211 and Lys-222). Their effects are under further evaluation, and aim to determine the most protective allele. We assessed some of these variants (Asp-146, His-154, Gln-211 and Lys-222), after their exogenous expression as murine-caprine chimeras in a scrapie- infected murine cell line. We report that exogenously expressed PrPs undergo conformational conversion upon interaction with the endogenous pathological murine prion protein (PrPSC), which results in the detection of goat-specific and partially PK-resistant moieties. These moieties display a PK-resistance pattern distinct from the one detected in natural goat scrapie cases. Within this cellular model, distinct conformational conversion potentials were assigned to the tested variants. Molecules carrying the Asp-146, His-154 and Gln-211 alleles showed significantly lower conversion levels compared to wild type, confirming their protective effects against scrapie. Although we utilized a heterologous conversion system, this is to our knowledge, the first study of caprine PrP variants in a cellular context of scrapie, that confirms the protective effects of some of the studied alleles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eirini Kanata
- a Department of Genetics , Development and Molecular Biology, School of Biology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki , Thessaloniki , Greece.,b School of Pharmacy , Aristotle University of Thessaloniki , Thessaloniki , Greece
| | - Minas Arsenakis
- a Department of Genetics , Development and Molecular Biology, School of Biology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki , Thessaloniki , Greece
| | - Theodoros Sklaviadis
- b School of Pharmacy , Aristotle University of Thessaloniki , Thessaloniki , Greece
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Ke PC, Sani MA, Ding F, Kakinen A, Javed I, Separovic F, Davis TP, Mezzenga R. Implications of peptide assemblies in amyloid diseases. Chem Soc Rev 2017; 46:6492-6531. [PMID: 28702523 PMCID: PMC5902192 DOI: 10.1039/c7cs00372b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 239] [Impact Index Per Article: 34.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Neurodegenerative disorders and type 2 diabetes are global epidemics compromising the quality of life of millions worldwide, with profound social and economic implications. Despite the significant differences in pathology - much of which are poorly understood - these diseases are commonly characterized by the presence of cross-β amyloid fibrils as well as the loss of neuronal or pancreatic β-cells. In this review, we document research progress on the molecular and mesoscopic self-assembly of amyloid-beta, alpha synuclein, human islet amyloid polypeptide and prions, the peptides and proteins associated with Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, type 2 diabetes and prion diseases. In addition, we discuss the toxicities of these amyloid proteins based on their self-assembly as well as their interactions with membranes, metal ions, small molecules and engineered nanoparticles. Through this presentation we show the remarkable similarities and differences in the structural transitions of the amyloid proteins through primary and secondary nucleation, the common evolution from disordered monomers to alpha-helices and then to β-sheets when the proteins encounter the cell membrane, and, the consensus (with a few exceptions) that off-pathway oligomers, rather than amyloid fibrils, are the toxic species regardless of the pathogenic protein sequence or physicochemical properties. In addition, we highlight the crucial role of molecular self-assembly in eliciting the biological and pathological consequences of the amyloid proteins within the context of their cellular environments and their spreading between cells and organs. Exploiting such structure-function-toxicity relationship may prove pivotal for the detection and mitigation of amyloid diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pu Chun Ke
- ARC Center of Excellence in Convergent Bio-Nano Science and Technology, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, 381 Royal Parade, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Marc-Antonie Sani
- School of Chemistry, Bio21 Institute, The University of Melbourne, 30 Flemington Rd, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Feng Ding
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, Clemson University, Clemson, SC 29634, United States
| | - Aleksandr Kakinen
- ARC Center of Excellence in Convergent Bio-Nano Science and Technology, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, 381 Royal Parade, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Ibrahim Javed
- ARC Center of Excellence in Convergent Bio-Nano Science and Technology, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, 381 Royal Parade, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Frances Separovic
- School of Chemistry, Bio21 Institute, The University of Melbourne, 30 Flemington Rd, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Thomas P. Davis
- ARC Center of Excellence in Convergent Bio-Nano Science and Technology, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, 381 Royal Parade, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
- Department of Chemistry, University of Warwick, Gibbet Hill, Coventry, CV4 7AL, United Kingdom
| | - Raffaele Mezzenga
- ETH Zurich, Department of Health Science & Technology, Schmelzbergstrasse 9, LFO, E23, 8092 Zurich, Switzerland
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Hannaoui S, Amidian S, Cheng YC, Duque Velásquez C, Dorosh L, Law S, Telling G, Stepanova M, McKenzie D, Wille H, Gilch S. Destabilizing polymorphism in cervid prion protein hydrophobic core determines prion conformation and conversion efficiency. PLoS Pathog 2017; 13:e1006553. [PMID: 28800624 PMCID: PMC5568445 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1006553] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2017] [Revised: 08/23/2017] [Accepted: 07/26/2017] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Prion diseases are infectious neurodegenerative disorders of humans and animals caused by misfolded forms of the cellular prion protein PrPC. Prions cause disease by converting PrPC into aggregation-prone PrPSc. Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is the most contagious prion disease with substantial lateral transmission, affecting free-ranging and farmed cervids. Although the PrP primary structure is highly conserved among cervids, the disease phenotype can be modulated by species-specific polymorphisms in the prion protein gene. How the resulting amino-acid substitutions impact PrPC and PrPSc structure and propagation is poorly understood. We investigated the effects of the cervid 116A>G substitution, located in the most conserved PrP domain, on PrPC structure and conversion and on 116AG-prion conformation and infectivity. Molecular dynamics simulations revealed structural de-stabilization of 116G-PrP, which enhanced its in vitro conversion efficiency when used as recombinant PrP substrate in real-time quaking-induced conversion (RT-QuIC). We demonstrate that 116AG-prions are conformationally less stable, show lower activity as a seed in RT-QuIC and exhibit reduced infectivity in vitro and in vivo. Infectivity of 116AG-prions was significantly enhanced upon secondary passage in mice, yet conformational features were retained. These findings indicate that structurally de-stabilized PrPC is readily convertible by cervid prions of different genetic background and results in a prion conformation adaptable to cervid wild-type PrP. Conformation is an important criterion when assessing transmission barrier, and conformational variants can target a different host range. Therefore, a thorough analysis of CWD isolates and re-assessment of species-barriers is important in order to fully exclude a zoonotic potential of CWD. Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is a prion disease which affects wild and captive cervids. Prion diseases are infectious neurodegenerative disorders, and the causative agent consists of abnormally folded prion protein termed PrPSc. Prions replicate without genetic information, and their three-dimensional structure is thought to encode heritable information necessary to propagate using the cellular prion protein PrPC as a substrate for conversion. In this study, we use in vitro and in vivo techniques to analyze the effect of a polymorphism at codon 116 (A>G) of the white-tailed deer prion protein on CWD prion conformation, propagation and pathogenesis. We observed differences in conformation, infectivity and seeding activity in vitro between CWD prions isolated from white-tailed deer encoding wild-type (116AA) PrPC or 116AG-PrPC. In mouse bioassays conformational differences are retained, however, 116AG CWD prions resulted in significantly shortened incubation times upon passages. Molecular dynamics simulations suggest that the structure of 116G-PrPC is more flexible, which is supported by an improved convertibility in an in vitro conversion assay. Altogether these data indicate the importance of a variation in the most conserved PrP domain, and highlight the relationship between PrPC structural flexibility, prion conformation and conversion, and pathogenesis of prion disease in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samia Hannaoui
- Department of Ecosystem and Public Health, Calgary Prion Research Unit, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Sara Amidian
- Center for Prions and Protein Folding Diseases, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Yo Ching Cheng
- Department of Ecosystem and Public Health, Calgary Prion Research Unit, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Camilo Duque Velásquez
- Center for Prions and Protein Folding Diseases, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Lyudmyla Dorosh
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Sampson Law
- Department of Ecosystem and Public Health, Calgary Prion Research Unit, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Glenn Telling
- Prion Research Center, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado, United States of America
| | - Maria Stepanova
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Debbie McKenzie
- Center for Prions and Protein Folding Diseases, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Holger Wille
- Center for Prions and Protein Folding Diseases, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Sabine Gilch
- Department of Ecosystem and Public Health, Calgary Prion Research Unit, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- * E-mail:
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Mathiason CK. Scrapie, CWD, and Transmissible Mink Encephalopathy. PROGRESS IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND TRANSLATIONAL SCIENCE 2017; 150:267-292. [PMID: 28838664 DOI: 10.1016/bs.pmbts.2017.07.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
Abstract
Transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs), or prions, are neurodegenerative diseases that affect a variety of animal species, including humans. Cruetzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) in humans, sheep and goat scrapie, chronic wasting disease (CWD) of cervids, and transmissible mink encephalopathy (TME) of mink are classified as TSEs. According to the "protein-only" hypothesis (Prusiner, 1982),1 prions are devoid of nucleic acids and consist of assemblies of misfolded host-encoded normal protein, the prion protein (PrPC). Prion propagation is thought to occur by a templating mechanism during which PrPC is recruited, converted to a disease-associated isoform (PrPD), and assembled onto the growing amyloid fibril. This fibular assembly is infectious, with ability to initiate disease processes similar to other pathogenic agents. Evidence indicates that scrapie, CWD, and TME disease processes follow this rule.
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De Novo Generation of a Unique Cervid Prion Strain Using Protein Misfolding Cyclic Amplification. mSphere 2017; 2:mSphere00372-16. [PMID: 28144628 PMCID: PMC5266495 DOI: 10.1128/msphere.00372-16] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2016] [Accepted: 01/11/2017] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
CWD is the only known TSE that affects free-ranging wildlife, specifically cervids such as elk, deer, moose, caribou, and reindeer. CWD has become endemic in both free-ranging and captive herds in North America, South Korea, and, most recently, northern Europe. The prion research community continues to debate the origins of CWD. Original foci of CWD emergence in Colorado and Wyoming coincident with the sheep TSE scrapie suggest that scrapie prions may have adapted to cervids to cause CWD. However, emerging evidence supports the idea that cervid PrPC may be more prone to misfolding to the pathological isoform. Here we test the hypothesis that cervid PrPC can spontaneously misfold to create de novo prions. Whether CWD can arise spontaneously as a sporadic TSE or represents a new TSE caused by cervid-adapted scrapie prions profoundly impacts surveillance and mitigation strategies. Substantial evidence supports the hypothesis that prions are misfolded, infectious, insoluble, and protease-resistant proteins (PrPRES) devoid of instructional nucleic acid that cause transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs). Protein misfolding cyclic amplification (PMCA) has provided additional evidence that PrPRes acts as a template that can convert the normal cellular prion protein (PrPC) present in uninfected normal brain homogenate (NBH) into the infectious misfolded PrPRES isoform. Human PrPC has been shown to spontaneously convert to a misfolded pathological state causing sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (sCJD). Several investigators have reported spontaneous generation of prions by in vitro assays, including PMCA. Here we tested the rate of de novo generation of cervid prions in our laboratory using our standard PMCA protocol and NBH from transgenic mice expressing cervid PrPC (TgCerPrP mice). We generated de novo prions in rounds 4, 5, and 7 at low cumulative rates of 1.6, 5.0, and 6.7%, respectively. The prions caused infectious chronic wasting disease (CWD) upon inoculation into normal uninfected TgCerPrP mice and displayed unique biochemical characteristics compared to other cervid prion strains. We conclude that PMCA of cervid PrPC from normal brain homogenate spontaneously generated a new cervid prion strain. These data support the potential for cervids to develop sporadic CWD. IMPORTANCE CWD is the only known TSE that affects free-ranging wildlife, specifically cervids such as elk, deer, moose, caribou, and reindeer. CWD has become endemic in both free-ranging and captive herds in North America, South Korea, and, most recently, northern Europe. The prion research community continues to debate the origins of CWD. Original foci of CWD emergence in Colorado and Wyoming coincident with the sheep TSE scrapie suggest that scrapie prions may have adapted to cervids to cause CWD. However, emerging evidence supports the idea that cervid PrPC may be more prone to misfolding to the pathological isoform. Here we test the hypothesis that cervid PrPC can spontaneously misfold to create de novo prions. Whether CWD can arise spontaneously as a sporadic TSE or represents a new TSE caused by cervid-adapted scrapie prions profoundly impacts surveillance and mitigation strategies. Podcast: A podcast concerning this article is available.
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Prion replication without host adaptation during interspecies transmissions. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2017; 114:1141-1146. [PMID: 28096357 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1611891114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Adaptation of prions to new species is thought to reflect the capacity of the host-encoded cellular form of the prion protein (PrPC) to selectively propagate optimized prion conformations from larger ensembles generated in the species of origin. Here we describe an alternate replicative process, termed nonadaptive prion amplification (NAPA), in which dominant conformers bypass this requirement during particular interspecies transmissions. To model susceptibility of horses to prions, we produced transgenic (Tg) mice expressing cognate PrPC Although disease transmission to only a subset of infected TgEq indicated a significant barrier to EqPrPC conversion, the resulting horse prions unexpectedly failed to cause disease upon further passage to TgEq. TgD expressing deer PrPC was similarly refractory to deer prions from diseased TgD infected with mink prions. In both cases, the resulting prions transmitted to mice expressing PrPC from the species of prion origin, demonstrating that transmission barrier eradication of the originating prions was ephemeral and adaptation superficial in TgEq and TgD. Horse prions produced in vitro by protein misfolding cyclic amplification of mouse prions using horse PrPC also failed to infect TgEq but retained tropism for wild-type mice. Concordant patterns of neuropathology and prion deposition in susceptible mice infected with NAPA prions and the corresponding prion of origin confirmed preservation of strain properties. The comparable responses of both prion types to guanidine hydrochloride denaturation indicated this occurs because NAPA precludes selection of novel prion conformations. Our findings provide insights into mechanisms regulating interspecies prion transmission and a framework to reconcile puzzling epidemiological features of certain prion disorders.
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Abstract
Prions cause fatal neurodegenerative diseases in humans and animals and can be transmitted zoonotically. Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is a highly transmissible prion disease of wild deer and elk that affects cervids over extensive regions of the United States and Canada. The risk of cross-species CWD transmission has been experimentally evaluated in a wide array of mammals, including non-human primates and mouse models expressing human cellular prion protein. Here we review the determinants of cross-species CWD transmission, and propose a model that may explain a structural barrier for CWD transmission to humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timothy D Kurt
- a Departments of Pathology and Medicine , UC San Diego , La Jolla , CA , USA
| | - Christina J Sigurdson
- a Departments of Pathology and Medicine , UC San Diego , La Jolla , CA , USA.,b Department of Pathology, Immunology, and Microbiology , UC Davis , Davis , CA , USA
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Ricci A, Allende A, Bolton D, Chemaly M, Davies R, Fernández Escámez PS, Gironés R, Herman L, Koutsoumanis K, Lindqvist R, Nørrung B, Robertson L, Sanaa M, Skandamis P, Snary E, Speybroeck N, Ter Kuile B, Threlfall J, Wahlström H, Benestad S, Gavier-Widen D, Miller MW, Ru G, Telling GC, Tryland M, Ortiz Pelaez A, Simmons M. Chronic wasting disease (CWD) in cervids. EFSA J 2017; 15:e04667. [PMID: 32625260 PMCID: PMC7010154 DOI: 10.2903/j.efsa.2017.4667] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
In April and May of 2016, Norway confirmed two cases of chronic wasting disease (CWD) in a wild reindeer and a wild moose, respectively. In the light of this emerging issue, the European Commission requested EFSA to recommend surveillance activities and, if necessary, additional animal health risk-based measures to prevent the introduction of the disease and the spread into/within the EU, specifically Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Poland and Sweden, and considering seven wild, semidomesticated and farmed cervid species (Eurasian tundra reindeer, Finnish (Eurasian) forest reindeer, moose, roe deer, white-tailed deer, red deer and fallow deer). It was also asked to assess any new evidence on possible public health risks related to CWD. A 3-year surveillance system is proposed, differing for farmed and wild or semidomesticated cervids, with a two-stage sampling programme at the farm/geographically based population unit level (random sampling) and individual level (convenience sampling targeting high-risk animals). The current derogations of Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2016/1918 present a risk of introduction of CWD into the EU. Measures to prevent the spread of CWD within the EU are dependent upon the assumption that the disease is already present; this is currently unknown. The measures listed are intended to contain (limit the geographic extent of a focus) and/or to control (actively stabilise/reduce infection rates in an affected herd or population) the disease where it occurs. With regard to the zoonotic potential, the human species barrier for CWD prions does not appear to be absolute. These prions are present in the skeletal muscle and other edible tissues, so humans may consume infected material in enzootic areas. Epidemiological investigations carried out to date make no association between the occurrence of sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease in humans and exposure to CWD prions.
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Structural Modeling of Human Prion Protein's Point Mutations. PROGRESS IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND TRANSLATIONAL SCIENCE 2017; 150:105-122. [DOI: 10.1016/bs.pmbts.2017.07.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
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