TitleMolecular Mechanism of the Misfolding and Oligomerization of the Prion Protein: Current Understanding and Its Implications.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2015
AuthorsSingh J, Udgaonkar JB
JournalBiochemistry
Volume54
Issue29
Pagination4431-42
Date Published2015 Jul 28
ISSN1520-4995
KeywordsAnimals, Humans, Models, Molecular, Prion Diseases, Protein Folding, Protein Multimerization, Protein Structure, Quaternary, Protein Structure, Secondary, PrPC Proteins, PrPSc Proteins
Abstract

Prion diseases, also known as transmissible spongiform encephalopathies, make up a group of fatal neurodegenerative disorders linked with the misfolding and aggregation of the prion protein (PrP). Although it is not yet understood how the misfolding of PrP induces neurodegeneration, it is widely accepted that the formation of misfolded prion protein (termed PrP(Sc)) is both the triggering event in the disease and the main component of the infectious agent responsible for disease transmission. Despite the clear involvement of PrP(Sc) in prion diseases, the exact composition of PrP(Sc) is not yet well-known. Recent studies show that misfolded oligomers of PrP could, however, be responsible for neurotoxicity and/or infectivity in the prion diseases. Hence, understanding the molecular mechanism of formation of the misfolded oligomers of PrP is critical for developing an understanding about the prion diseases and for developing anti-prion therapeutics. This review discusses recent advances in understanding the molecular mechanism of misfolded oligomer formation by PrP and its implications for the development of anti-prion therapeutics.

DOI10.1021/acs.biochem.5b00605
Alternate JournalBiochemistry
PubMed ID26171558