Rapid Quantification of Prion Proteins (original) (raw)
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Biotechnology Progress, 2007
This article reports the chemical synthesis and functionalization of magnetic and gold-coated magnetic nanoparticles. The binding characteristics of streptavidin-conjugated nanoparticles were studied using prion protein as a target to a specific biotinylated aptamer. The size and structure of the particles were determined by transmission electron microscopy, and the binding of the prion to the particle was confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The rate of prion binding to the aptamer was dose-dependent, and prion immobilization was more effective on L-aspartic acid-functionalized magnetic nanoparticles compared to the carboxyl-functionalized gold-coated magnetic nanoparticles. This study sets the stage for the development of prion detection platforms as well as our long-term goals in structure elucidation at the binding interface.
Journal of Chromatography A, 2015
Prion diseases are characterized by protein aggregation and neurodegeneration. Conversion of the native prion protein (PrP C ) into the abnormal scrapie PrP isoform (PrP Sc ), which undergoes aggregation and can eventually form amyloid fibrils, is a critical step leading to the characteristic path morphological hallmark of these diseases. However, the mechanism of conversion remains unclear. It is known that ligands can act as cofactors or inhibitors in the conversion mechanism of PrP C into PrP Sc . Within this context, herein, we describe the immobilization of PrP C onto the surface of magnetic beads and the morphological characterization of PrP C -coated beads by fluorescence confocal microscopy. PrP C -coated magnetic beads were used to identify ligands from a mixture of compounds, which were monitored by UHPLC-ESI-MS/MS. This affinity-based method allowed the isolation of the anti-prion compound quinacrine, an inhibitor of PrP aggregation. The results indicate that this approach can be applied to not only "fish" for anti-prion compounds from complex matrixes, but also to screening for and identify possible cellular cofactors involved in the deflagration of prion diseases.
EQCM Biosensors Based on DNA Aptamers and Antibodies for Rapid Detection of Prions
Protein & Peptide Letters, 2009
Novel affinity biosensors for detecting cellular prions, PrP C , based on DNA aptamers and antibodies immobilized onto the carbon nanotubes have been designed and compared in accordance with their binding ability and analytical performance. The biosensors allowed us to detect PrP C with the limits of detection of 20 to 50 pM.
Structural conversion of cellular prion protein (PrPC) into scrapie PrP (PrPSc) and subsequent aggregation are key events for the onset of Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathies (TSEs). Experimental evidences support the role of nucleic acids (NAs) in assisting the protein conversion process. Here, we used the SELEX methodology to identify two 25-mer DNA aptamers against the globular domain of recombinant murine PrP (rPrP90-231), namely A1 and A2. High-affinity binding of A1 and A2 to rPrP was verified by ITC. Aptamers structure was characterized by theoretical predictions, CD, NMR and SAXS, revealing that A1 adopts a hairpin conformation. Aptamer binding caused dynamic aggregation of rPrP90-231, resulting from the ability of rPrP90-231 to undergo liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS). While free rPrP90-231 phase separated into large droplets, aptamer binding increased the amount but reduced the size of the condensates. Strikingly, a modified A1 aptamer that does not adopt a hair...
Magnetic microparticle-based multimer detection system for the detection of prion oligomers in sheep
International journal of nanomedicine, 2015
Transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs) are zoonotic fatal neurodegenerative diseases in animals and humans. TSEs are commonly known as bovine spongiform encephalopathy in cattle, scrapie in sheep and goats, chronic wasting disease in cervids, and Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease in humans. The putative transmissible agents are infectious prion proteins (PrP(Sc)), which are formed by the conversion of the normal prion protein on the glycoprotein cell surface in the presence of other PrP(Sc). Reports of the transmission of TSEs through blood raised considerable concern about the safety of blood and blood products. To address this issue, many laboratories attempted to develop a sensitive and accurate blood diagnostic test to detect PrP(Sc). Previously, we reported that, compared to normal controls, the multimer detection system (MDS) was more efficient in detecting PrP(Sc) in infected hamster brain homogenate, mouse plasma spiked with purified PrP(Sc) from scrapie mouse brain, and s...
Rapid communications in mass spectrometry : RCM, 2007
More sensitive detection of prions in brain is important because it would allow early detection of disease in young animals and assure a safer food supply. We have quantitated the amount of proteinase K-resistant prion protein (PrP 27-30) by use of nano-scale liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry using the multiple reaction monitoring mode of operation. We used a method based on the detection of VVEQMCTTQYQK (residues 209-220) obtained by reduction, alkylation and digestion with trypsin. Quantitation of the amount of PrP 27-30 in the brains of Syrian hamsters was possible as early as 24 h after inoculation. Our results show sensitive detection of 180 fmol of PrP 27-30 per g brain (wet weight) as early as 24 h after inoculation. Clinical symptoms are not observed until 9 weeks after inoculation.
Nature Methods, 2007
The scrapie prion protein isoform, PrP Sc , is a prion-associated marker that seeds the conformational conversion and polymerization of normal protease-sensitive prion protein (PrP-sen). This seeding activity allows ultrasensitive detection of PrP Sc using cyclical sonicated amplification (PMCA) reactions and brain homogenate as a source of PrP-sen. Here we describe a much faster seeded polymerization method (rPrP-PMCA) which detects Z50 ag of hamster PrP Sc (E0.003 lethal dose) within 2-3 d. This technique uses recombinant hamster PrP-sen, which, unlike brain-derived PrP-sen, can be easily concentrated, mutated and synthetically tagged. We generated protease-resistant recombinant PrP fibrils that differed from spontaneously initiated fibrils in their proteolytic susceptibility and by their infrared spectra. This assay could discriminate between scrapie-infected and uninfected hamsters using 2-ll aliquots of cerebral spinal fluid. This method should facilitate the development of rapid, ultrasensitive prion assays and diagnostic tests, in addition to aiding fundamental studies of structure and mechanism of PrP Sc formation.
Analytical biochemistry, 2004
A nanoparticle-based immunoassay for the detection of recombinant bovine prion protein (PrP) was developed as a step in the development of screening tools for the prevention of the spread of transmissible spongiform encephalopathies. The assay is based on the competitive binding between PrP and a peptide-fluorophore to a nanoparticle-labeled antibody which is specific for a conserved prion sequence. The fluorophore, when bound to the antibody, is subject to surfaced-modified fluorescence, enabling detection of changes in the concentration of bound fluorophore in the presence of prion protein. Important factors considered during the development of the assay were ease of use, robustness, and detection level. The effects of pH and nanoparticle conjugation chemistry on surface-modified fluorescence observed in the assay were explored. Effects of concentrations of antibody and fluorophore on reproducibility and detection limits were examined. At present, the detection limits of the syste...