Prion proteins are a unique class of proteins that have garnered significant attention due to their role in neurodegenerative diseases. The term “prion” was first coined by Stanley Prusiner in 1982 to describe “proteinaceous infectious particles” responsible for diseases such as Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD), scrapie, and kuru . Prion proteins exist in two forms: the normal cellular prion protein (PrP^C) and the disease-causing scrapie prion protein (PrP^Sc).
The prion protein (PrP) is encoded by the PRNP gene and is primarily expressed in the central and peripheral nervous systems . The normal cellular form, PrP^C, is a cell surface protein that plays a role in various cellular processes, including cell signaling and protection against oxidative stress . However, the exact physiological function of PrP^C remains not fully understood.
Prion diseases, also known as transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs), are caused by the conformational conversion of PrP^C into PrP^Sc . This misfolded form is resistant to protease digestion and tends to aggregate, leading to neuronal damage and the characteristic spongiform changes in the brain . The accumulation of PrP^Sc is associated with cell death, inflammation, and neurodegeneration .
Recombinant prion protein (human) is produced using recombinant DNA technology, which involves inserting the human PRNP gene into a suitable expression system, such as bacteria or yeast, to produce the protein in large quantities. This recombinant form is used extensively in research to study the structure, function, and pathogenic mechanisms of prion proteins .
Research on prion proteins has provided valuable insights into the mechanisms of protein misfolding and aggregation, which are relevant not only to prion diseases but also to other neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases . Understanding the structural features and toxicity of prion proteins can aid in the development of therapeutic strategies to combat these devastating diseases .