Theoretical Analysis of the Implication of PrP in Neuronal Death during Transmissible Subacute Spongiform Encephalopathies: Hypothesis of a PrP Oligomeric Channel
✍ Scribed by YVES CHAPRON; JEAN-MICHEL PEYRIN; SERGE CROUZY; ALEXANDRE JAEGLY; DOMINIQUE DORMONT
- Publisher
- Elsevier Science
- Year
- 2000
- Tongue
- English
- Weight
- 580 KB
- Volume
- 204
- Category
- Article
- ISSN
- 0022-5193
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✦ Synopsis
Transmissible subacute spongiform encephalopathies (TSE) are animal and human neurodegenerative diseases. The nature of the transmissible agent remains unknown. The speci"c molecular marker of these diseases is the abnormal isoform of the prion protein (PrP). This protein is encoded by a cellular gene and accumulates in a pathological isoform (PrPres) which is partially resistant to proteolysis. The tridimensional structure of this protein remains theoretical. F. Cohen proposed one of the most realistic models. According to this model and from molecular mechanics calculation, we suggest a PrP oligomeric ionic channel model that may be involved in TSE-induced neuronal apoptosis.