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Reis PM, Holec SAM, Ezeiruaku C, Frost MP, Brown CK, Liu SL, Olson SH, Woerman AL. Structurally targeted mutagenesis identifies key residues supporting α -synuclein misfolding in multiple system atrophy. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.07.04.602104. [PMID: 39026799 PMCID: PMC11257492 DOI: 10.1101/2024.07.04.602104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/20/2024]
Abstract
Multiple system atrophy (MSA) and Parkinson's disease (PD) are caused by misfolded α -synuclein spreading throughout the central nervous system. While familial PD is linked to several point mutations in α -synuclein, there are no known mutations associated with MSA. Our previous work investigating differences in α -synuclein misfolding between the two disorders showed that the familial PD mutation E46K inhibits replication of MSA prions both in vitro and in vivo, providing key evidence to support the hypothesis that α -synuclein adopts unique strains in patients. Here, to further interrogate α -synuclein misfolding, we engineered a panel of cell lines harboring both PD-linked and novel mutations designed to identify key residues that facilitate α -synuclein misfolding in MSA. These data were paired with in silico analyses using Maestro software to predict the effect of each mutation on the ability of α -synuclein to misfold into one of the reported MSA cryo-electron microscopy conformations. In many cases, our modeling accurately identified mutations that facilitated or inhibited MSA replication. However, Maestro was occasionally unable to predict the effect of a mutation on MSA propagation in vitro, demonstrating the challenge of using computational tools to investigate intrinsically disordered proteins. Finally, we used our cellular models to determine the mechanism underlying the E46K-driven inhibition of MSA replication, finding that the E46/K80 salt bridge is necessary to support α -synuclein misfolding. Overall, our studies use a structure-based approach to investigate α -synuclein misfolding, resulting in the creation of a powerful panel of cell lines that can be used to interrogate MSA strain biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricia M. Reis
- Department of Biology and Institute for Applied Life Sciences, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA, USA
- Neuroscience and Behavior Graduate Program, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA, USA
| | - Sara A. M. Holec
- Department of Biology and Institute for Applied Life Sciences, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA, USA
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology, Prion Research Center, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | - Chimere Ezeiruaku
- Department of Biology and Institute for Applied Life Sciences, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA, USA
| | - Matthew P. Frost
- Department of Biology and Institute for Applied Life Sciences, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA, USA
| | - Christine K. Brown
- Department of Biology and Institute for Applied Life Sciences, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA, USA
| | - Samantha L. Liu
- Department of Biology and Institute for Applied Life Sciences, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA, USA
| | - Steven H. Olson
- Conrad Prebys Center for Chemical Genomics, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Amanda L. Woerman
- Department of Biology and Institute for Applied Life Sciences, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA, USA
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Pathology, Prion Research Center, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA
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Jeong MJ, Kim YC, Jeong BH. The first report of single nucleotide polymorphisms in the open reading frame of the prion-like protein gene in rabbits. Front Vet Sci 2024; 11:1388339. [PMID: 38952802 PMCID: PMC11216025 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2024.1388339] [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: 03/15/2024] [Accepted: 04/29/2024] [Indexed: 07/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Natural cases of prion disease have not been reported in rabbits, and prior attempts to identify a prion conversion agent have been unsuccessful. However, recent applications of prion seed amplifying experimental techniques have sparked renewed interest in the potential susceptibility of rabbits to prion disease infections. Among several factors related to prion disease, polymorphisms within the prion-like protein gene (PRND), a member of the prion protein family, have been reported as significantly associated with disease susceptibility in various species. Therefore, our study aimed to investigate polymorphisms in the PRND gene of rabbits and analyze their genetic characteristics. Methods Genomic DNA was extracted from 207 rabbit samples to investigate leporine PRND polymorphisms. Subsequently, amplicon sequencing targeting the coding region of the leporine PRND gene was conducted. Additionally, linkage disequilibrium (LD) analysis was employed to assess the connection within and between loci. The impact of non-synonymous single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) on the Doppel protein was evaluated using PolyPhen-2. Results We found nine novel SNPs in the leporine PRND gene: c.18A > G, c.76G > C, c.128C > T, c.146C > T, c.315A > G, c.488G > A, c.525G > C, c.544G > A, and c.579A > G. Notably, seven of these PRND SNPs, excluding c.525G > C and c.579A > G, exhibited strong LD values exceeding 0.3. In addition, LD analysis confirmed a robust link between PRNP SNP c.234C > T and PRND SNPs at c.525G > C and c.579A > G. Furthermore, according to PolyPhen-2 and SIFT analyses, the four non-synonymous SNPs were predicted to have deleterious effects on the function or structure of the Doppel protein. However, PANTHER and Missense3D did not indicate such effects. Conclusion In this paper, we have identified novel SNPs in the rabbit PRND gene and predicted their potential detrimental effects on protein function or structure through four non-synonymous SNPs. Additionally, we observed a genetic linkage between SNPs in the PRND and PRNP genes. These findings may provide insights into understanding the characteristics of rabbits as partially resistant species. To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first to genetically characterize PRND SNPs in rabbits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min-Ju Jeong
- Korea Zoonosis Research Institute, Jeonbuk National University, Iksan, Jeonbuk, Republic of Korea
- Department of Bioactive Material Sciences, Jeonbuk National University, Jeonju, Jeonbuk, Republic of Korea
| | - Yong-Chan Kim
- Department of Biological Sciences, Andong National University, Andong, Republic of Korea
| | - Byung-Hoon Jeong
- Korea Zoonosis Research Institute, Jeonbuk National University, Iksan, Jeonbuk, Republic of Korea
- Department of Bioactive Material Sciences, Jeonbuk National University, Jeonju, Jeonbuk, Republic of Korea
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Jeong MJ, Wang Z, Zou WQ, Kim YC, Jeong BH. The first report of polymorphisms of the prion protein gene ( PRNP) in Pekin ducks ( Anas platyrhynchos domestica). Front Vet Sci 2023; 10:1273050. [PMID: 38026621 PMCID: PMC10664711 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2023.1273050] [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: 08/05/2023] [Accepted: 10/26/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Prion diseases have been extensively reported in various mammalian species and are caused by a pathogenic prion protein (PrPSc), which is a misfolded version of cellular prion protein (PrPC). Notably, no cases of prion disease have been reported in birds. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the prion protein gene (PRNP) that encodes PrP have been associated with susceptibility to prion diseases in several species. However, no studies on PRNP polymorphisms in domestic ducks have been reported thus far. Method To investigate PRNP polymorphisms in domestic ducks, we isolated genomic DNA from 214 Pekin duck samples and sequenced the coding region of the Pekin duck PRNP gene. We analyzed genotype, allele, and haplotype distributions and linkage disequilibrium (LD) among the SNPs of the Pekin duck PRNP gene. In addition, we evaluated the effects of the one non-synonymous SNP on the function and structure of PrP using the PROVEAN, PANTHER, SNPs & GO, SODA, and AMYCO in silico prediction programs. Results We found five novel SNPs, c.441 T > C, c.495 T > C, c.582A > G, c.710C > T(P237L), and c.729C > T, in the ORF region of the PRNP gene in 214 Pekin duck samples. We observed strong LD between c.441 T > C and c.582A > G (0.479), and interestingly, the link between c.495 T > C and c.729C > T was in perfect LD, with an r2 value of 1.0. In addition, we identified the five major haplotype frequencies: TTACC, CTGCC, CTACC, CCGCT, and CTATC. Furthermore, we found that the non-synonymous SNP, c.710C > T (P237L), had no detrimental effects on the function or structure of Pekin duck PrP. However, the non-synonymous SNP had deleterious effects on the aggregation propensity and solubility of Pekin duck PrP compared with wildtype Pekin duck PrP. Conclusion To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first report on the genetic characteristics of PRNP SNPs in Pekin ducks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min-Ju Jeong
- Korea Zoonosis Research Institute, Jeonbuk National University, Iksan, Republic of Korea
- Department of Bioactive Material Sciences, Jeonbuk National University, Jeonju, Republic of Korea
| | - Zerui Wang
- Department of Pathology, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, United States
| | - Wen-Quan Zou
- Department of Pathology, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, United States
| | - Yong-Chan Kim
- Department of Biological Sciences, Andong National University, Andong, Republic of Korea
| | - Byung-Hoon Jeong
- Korea Zoonosis Research Institute, Jeonbuk National University, Iksan, Republic of Korea
- Department of Bioactive Material Sciences, Jeonbuk National University, Jeonju, Republic of Korea
- Department of Pathology, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, United States
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Li XN, Gao Y, Li Y, Yin JX, Yi CW, Yuan HY, Huang JJ, Wang LQ, Chen J, Liang Y. Arg177 and Asp159 from dog prion protein slow liquid-liquid phase separation and inhibit amyloid formation of human prion protein. J Biol Chem 2023; 299:105329. [PMID: 37805139 PMCID: PMC10641668 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2023.105329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2023] [Revised: 08/23/2023] [Accepted: 09/05/2023] [Indexed: 10/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Prion diseases are a group of transmissible neurodegenerative diseases primarily caused by the conformational conversion of prion protein (PrP) from α-helix-dominant cellular prion protein (PrPC) to β-sheet-rich pathological aggregated form of PrPSc in many mammalian species. Dogs exhibit resistance to prion diseases, but the mechanism behind the phenomenon remains poorly understood. Compared with human PrP and mouse PrP, dog PrP has two unique amino acid residues, Arg177 and Asp159. Because PrPC contains a low-complexity and intrinsically disordered region in its N-terminal domain, it undergoes liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) in vitro and forms protein condensates. However, little is known about whether these two unique residues modulate the formation of PrPC condensates. Here, using confocal microscopy, fluorescence recovery after photobleaching assays, thioflavin T binding assays, and transmission electron microscopy, we report that Arg177 and Asp159 from the dog PrP slow the LLPS of full-length human PrPC, shifting the equilibrium phase boundary to higher protein concentrations and inhibit amyloid formation of the human protein. In sharp contrast, His177 and Asn159 from the human PrP enhance the LLPS of full-length dog PrPC, shifting the equilibrium phase boundary to lower protein concentrations, and promote fibril formation of the canid protein. Collectively, these results demonstrate how LLPS and amyloid formation of PrP are inhibited by a single residue Arg177 or Asp159 associated with prion disease resistance, and how LLPS and fibril formation of PrP are promoted by a single residue His177 or Asn159. Therefore, Arg177/His177 and Asp159/Asn159 are key residues in modulating PrPC liquid-phase condensation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiang-Ning Li
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Cell Homeostasis, College of Life Sciences, TaiKang Center for Life and Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Yuan Gao
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Cell Homeostasis, College of Life Sciences, TaiKang Center for Life and Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Yang Li
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Cell Homeostasis, College of Life Sciences, TaiKang Center for Life and Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Jin-Xu Yin
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Cell Homeostasis, College of Life Sciences, TaiKang Center for Life and Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Chuan-Wei Yi
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Cell Homeostasis, College of Life Sciences, TaiKang Center for Life and Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Han-Ye Yuan
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Cell Homeostasis, College of Life Sciences, TaiKang Center for Life and Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Jun-Jie Huang
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Cell Homeostasis, College of Life Sciences, TaiKang Center for Life and Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Li-Qiang Wang
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Cell Homeostasis, College of Life Sciences, TaiKang Center for Life and Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China; Wuhan University Shenzhen Research Institute, Shenzhen, China
| | - Jie Chen
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Cell Homeostasis, College of Life Sciences, TaiKang Center for Life and Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Yi Liang
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Cell Homeostasis, College of Life Sciences, TaiKang Center for Life and Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, China; Wuhan University Shenzhen Research Institute, Shenzhen, China.
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Kim DJ, Kim YC, Jeong BH. First report of a novel polymorphism and genetic characteristics of the leporine prion protein ( PRNP) gene. Front Vet Sci 2023; 10:1229369. [PMID: 37808111 PMCID: PMC10556520 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2023.1229369] [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: 05/26/2023] [Accepted: 09/04/2023] [Indexed: 10/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs) have been reported in a broad spectrum of hosts. The genetic polymorphisms and characteristics of the prion protein (PRNP) gene have a vital impact on the development of TSEs. Notably, natural TSE infection cases have never been reported in rabbits, and genetic variations of the leporine PRNP gene have not been investigated to date. To identify leporine PRNP gene polymorphism, we performed amplicon sequencing in 203 rabbits. We report a novel single nucleotide polymorphism on the leporine PRNP gene. In addition, we performed a comparative analysis of amino acid sequences of prion protein (PrP) across several hosts using ClustalW2. Furthermore, we evaluated the effect of changes of unique leporine PrP amino acids with those conserved among various species using Swiss-Pdb Viewer. Interestingly, we found seven unique leporine amino acids, and the change of unique leporine amino acids with those conserved among other species, including S175N, Q221K, Q221R, A226Y, A230G, and A230S, was predicted to reduce hydrogen bonds in leporine PrP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dong-Ju Kim
- Korea Zoonosis Research Institute, Jeonbuk National University, Iksan, Jeonbuk, Republic of Korea
- Department of Bioactive Material Sciences and Institute for Molecular Biology and Genetics, Jeonbuk National University, Jeonju, Jeonbuk, Republic of Korea
| | - Yong-Chan Kim
- Department of Biological Sciences, Andong National University, Andong, Republic of Korea
| | - Byung-Hoon Jeong
- Korea Zoonosis Research Institute, Jeonbuk National University, Iksan, Jeonbuk, Republic of Korea
- Department of Bioactive Material Sciences and Institute for Molecular Biology and Genetics, Jeonbuk National University, Jeonju, Jeonbuk, Republic of Korea
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Chronic wasting disease prions in mule deer interdigital glands. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0275375. [PMID: 36190981 PMCID: PMC9529147 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0275375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2022] [Accepted: 09/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is a geographically expanding, fatal neurodegenerative disease in cervids. The disease can be transmitted directly (animal-animal) or indirectly via infectious prions shed into the environment. The precise mechanisms of indirect CWD transmission are unclear but known sources of the infectious prions that contaminate the environment include saliva, urine and feces. We have previously identified PrPC expression in deer interdigital glands, sac-like exocrine structures located between the digits of the hooves. In this study, we assayed for CWD prions within the interdigital glands of CWD infected deer to determine if they could serve as a source of prion shedding and potentially contribute to CWD transmission. Immunohistochemical analysis of interdigital glands from a CWD-infected female mule deer identified disease-associated PrPCWD within clusters of infiltrating leukocytes adjacent to sudoriferous and sebaceous glands, and within the acrosyringeal epidermis of a sudoriferous gland tubule. Proteinase K-resistant PrPCWD material was amplified by serial protein misfolding cyclic amplification (sPMCA) from soil retrieved from between the hoof digits of a clinically affected mule deer. Blinded testing of interdigital glands from 11 mule deer by real-time quake-induced conversion (RT-QuIC) accurately identified CWD-infected animals. The data described suggests that interdigital glands may play a role in the dissemination of CWD prions into the environment, warranting future investigation.
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Ness A, Jacob A, Saboraki K, Otero A, Gushue D, Martinez Moreno D, de Peña M, Tang X, Aiken J, Lingle S, McKenzie D. Cellular prion protein distribution in the vomeronasal organ, parotid, and scent glands of white-tailed deer and mule deer. Prion 2022; 16:40-57. [PMID: 35634740 PMCID: PMC9154781 DOI: 10.1080/19336896.2022.2079888] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is a contagious and fatal transmissible spongiform encephalopathy affecting species of the cervidae family. CWD has an expanding geographic range and complex, poorly understood transmission mechanics. CWD is disproportionately prevalent in wild male mule deer and male white-tailed deer. Sex and species influences on CWD prevalence have been hypothesized to be related to animal behaviours that involve deer facial and body exocrine glands. Understanding CWD transmission potential requires a foundational knowledge of the cellular prion protein (PrPC) in glands associated with cervid behaviours. In this study, we characterized the presence and distribution of PrPC in six integumentary and two non-integumentary tissues of hunter-harvested mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) and white-tailed deer (O. virginianus). We report that white-tailed deer expressed significantly more PrPC than their mule deer in the parotid, metatarsal, and interdigital glands. Females expressed more PrPC than males in the forehead and preorbital glands. The distribution of PrPC within the integumentary exocrine glands of the face and legs were localized to glandular cells, hair follicles, epidermis, and immune cell infiltrates. All tissues examined expressed sufficient quantities of PrPC to serve as possible sites of prion initial infection, propagation, and shedding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anthony Ness
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
- Centre for Prions and Protein Folding Diseases, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Aradhana Jacob
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
- Centre for Prions and Protein Folding Diseases, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Kelsey Saboraki
- Department of Biology, University of Winnipeg, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Alicia Otero
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
- Centre for Prions and Protein Folding Diseases, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
- Enfermedades Transmisibles Emergentes, Universidad de ZaragozaCentro de Encefalopatías y , Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Danielle Gushue
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
- Centre for Prions and Protein Folding Diseases, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Diana Martinez Moreno
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
- Centre for Prions and Protein Folding Diseases, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Melanie de Peña
- Department of Biology, University of Winnipeg, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Xinli Tang
- Centre for Prions and Protein Folding Diseases, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Judd Aiken
- Centre for Prions and Protein Folding Diseases, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
- Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutritional Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Susan Lingle
- Department of Biology, University of Winnipeg, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Debbie McKenzie
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
- Centre for Prions and Protein Folding Diseases, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
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Otero A, Velásquez CD, Aiken J, McKenzie D. Chronic wasting disease: a cervid prion infection looming to spillover. Vet Res 2021; 52:115. [PMID: 34488900 PMCID: PMC8420063 DOI: 10.1186/s13567-021-00986-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2021] [Accepted: 07/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
The spread of chronic wasting disease (CWD) during the last six decades has resulted in cervid populations of North America where CWD has become enzootic. This insidious disease has also been reported in wild and captive cervids from other continents, threatening ecosystems, livestock and public health. These CWD "hot zones" are particularly complex given the interplay between cervid PRNP genetics, the infection biology, the strain diversity of infectious prions and the long-term environmental persistence of infectivity, which hinder eradication efforts. Here, we review different aspects of CWD including transmission mechanisms, pathogenesis, epidemiology and assessment of interspecies infection. Further understanding of these aspects could help identify "control points" that could help reduce exposure for humans and livestock and decrease CWD spread between cervids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alicia Otero
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada.,Centre for Prions and Protein Folding Diseases, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada.,Centro de Encefalopatías y Enfermedades Transmisibles Emergentes, Universidad de Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Camilo Duque Velásquez
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada.,Centre for Prions and Protein Folding Diseases, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Judd Aiken
- Centre for Prions and Protein Folding Diseases, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada.,Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Debbie McKenzie
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada. .,Centre for Prions and Protein Folding Diseases, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada.
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Marín-Moreno A, Espinosa JC, Aguilar-Calvo P, Fernández-Borges N, Pitarch JL, González L, Torres JM. Canine D 163-PrP polymorphic variant does not provide complete protection against prion infection in small ruminant PrP context. Sci Rep 2021; 11:14309. [PMID: 34253783 PMCID: PMC8275588 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-93594-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2021] [Accepted: 06/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
E/D163 polymorphism of dog prion protein (PrP) has been recently proposed as the variant responsible for canid prion resistance. To further investigate the protective role of this variant against prion replication, the transgenic mouse model OvPrP-Tg532 expressing sheep/goat PrP carrying the substitution D162 (equivalent to D163 position of dog PrP) was generated and intracranially inoculated with a broad collection of small ruminant prion strains. OvPrP-Tg532 mice showed resistance to classical bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) from sheep and some classical scrapie isolates from sheep and goat but were susceptible to ovine atypical L-BSE and numerous classical scrapie isolates. Strikingly, some of these classical scrapie isolates showed a shift in their prion strain properties. These results suggest that other PrP residues apart from E/D163 variant of dog PrP or factors distinct than PrP may participate in prion resistance of canids and that different factors may be required for D162 sheep PrP to provide effective protection to sheep against ruminant prions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alba Marín-Moreno
- Centro de Investigación en Sanidad Animal, CISA-INIA, Valdeolmos, Madrid, Spain
| | | | | | | | - José Luis Pitarch
- Centro de Investigación en Sanidad Animal, CISA-INIA, Valdeolmos, Madrid, Spain
| | - Lorenzo González
- Animal Health and Veterinary Laboratories Agency (AHVLA), Penicuik, Midlothian, UK
| | - Juan María Torres
- Centro de Investigación en Sanidad Animal, CISA-INIA, Valdeolmos, Madrid, Spain.
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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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Myers R, Cembran A, Fernandez-Funez P. Insight From Animals Resistant to Prion Diseases: Deciphering the Genotype - Morphotype - Phenotype Code for the Prion Protein. Front Cell Neurosci 2020; 14:254. [PMID: 33013324 PMCID: PMC7461849 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2020.00254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2020] [Accepted: 07/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Prion diseases are a group of neurodegenerative diseases endemic in humans and several ruminants caused by the misfolding of native prion protein (PrP) into pathological conformations. Experimental work and the mad-cow epidemic of the 1980s exposed a wide spectrum of animal susceptibility to prion diseases, including a few highly resistant animals: horses, rabbits, pigs, and dogs/canids. The variable susceptibility to disease offers a unique opportunity to uncover the mechanisms governing PrP misfolding, neurotoxicity, and transmission. Previous work indicates that PrP-intrinsic differences (sequence) are the main contributors to disease susceptibility. Several residues have been cited as critical for encoding PrP conformational stability in prion-resistant animals, including D/E159 in dog, S167 in horse, and S174 in rabbit and pig PrP (all according to human numbering). These amino acids alter PrP properties in a variety of assays, but we still do not clearly understand the structural correlates of PrP toxicity. Additional insight can be extracted from comparative structural studies, followed by molecular dynamics simulations of selected mutations, and testing in manipulable animal models. Our working hypothesis is that protective amino acids generate more compact and stable structures in a C-terminal subdomain of the PrP globular domain. We will explore this idea in this review and identify subdomains within the globular domain that may hold the key to unravel how conformational stability and disease susceptibility are encoded in PrP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan Myers
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Minnesota Medical School, Duluth, MN, United States
| | - 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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12
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Vidal E, Fernández-Borges N, Eraña H, Parra B, Pintado B, Sánchez-Martín MA, Charco JM, Ordóñez M, Pérez-Castro MA, Pumarola M, Mathiason CK, Mayoral T, Castilla J. Dogs are resistant to prion infection, due to the presence of aspartic or glutamic acid at position 163 of their prion protein. FASEB J 2020; 34:3969-3982. [PMID: 31944411 DOI: 10.1096/fj.201902646r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2019] [Revised: 11/26/2019] [Accepted: 12/30/2019] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Unlike other species, prion disease has never been described in dogs even though they were similarly exposed to the bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) agent. This resistance prompted a thorough analysis of the canine PRNP gene and the presence of a negatively charged amino acid residue in position 163 was readily identified as potentially fundamental as it differed from all known susceptible species. In the present study, the first transgenic mouse model expressing dog prion protein (PrP) was generated and challenged intracerebrally with a panel of prion isolates, none of which could infect them. The brains of these mice were subjected to in vitro prion amplification and failed to find even minimal amounts of misfolded prions providing definitive experimental evidence that dogs are resistant to prion disease. Subsequently, a second transgenic model was generated in which aspartic acid in position 163 was substituted for asparagine (the most common in prion susceptible species) resulting in susceptibility to BSE-derived isolates. These findings strongly support the hypothesis that the amino acid residue at position 163 of canine cellular prion protein (PrPC ) is a major determinant of the exceptional resistance of the canidae family to prion infection and establish this as a promising therapeutic target for prion diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enric Vidal
- IRTA, Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal (CReSA, IRTA-UAB), Campus de la Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | | | - Beatriz Parra
- Laboratorio Central de Veterinaria (LCV), Madrid, Spain
| | - Belén Pintado
- Centro Nacional de Biotecnología (CNB), Madrid, Spain
| | - Manuel A Sánchez-Martín
- Servicio de Transgénesis, Nucleus, Universidad de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain.,IBSAL, Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain
| | | | - Montserrat Ordóñez
- IRTA, Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal (CReSA, IRTA-UAB), Campus de la Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Martí Pumarola
- Departament de Medicina i Cirurgia Animals. Facultat de Veterinària, UAB, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Candace K Mathiason
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA
| | - Tomás Mayoral
- Laboratorio Central de Veterinaria (LCV), Madrid, Spain
| | - Joaquín Castilla
- CIC bioGUNE, Derio, Spain.,IKERBASQUE, Basque Foundation for Science, Bilbao, Spain
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13
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Won SY, Kim YC, Kim K, Kim AD, Jeong BH. The First Report of Polymorphisms and Genetic Features of the prion-like Protein Gene ( PRND) in a Prion Disease-Resistant Animal, Dog. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20061404. [PMID: 30897750 PMCID: PMC6470729 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20061404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2019] [Revised: 03/15/2019] [Accepted: 03/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Prion disease has displayed large infection host ranges among several species; however, dogs have not been reported to be infected and are considered prion disease-resistant animals. Case-controlled studies in several species, including humans and cattle, indicated a potent association of prion protein gene (PRNP) polymorphisms in the progression of prion disease. Thus, because of the proximal location and similar structure of the PRNP gene among the prion gene family, the prion-like protein gene (PRND) was noted as a novel candidate gene that contributes to prion disease susceptibility. Several case-controlled studies have confirmed the relationship of the PRND gene with prion disease vulnerability, and strong genetic linkage disequilibrium blocks were identified in prion-susceptible species between the PRNP and PRND genes. However, to date, polymorphisms of the dog PRND gene have not been reported, and the genetic linkage between the PRNP and PRND genes has not been examined thus far. Here, we first investigated dog PRND polymorphisms in 207 dog DNA samples using direct DNA sequencing. A total of four novel single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), including one nonsynonymous SNP (c.149G>A, R50H), were identified in this study. We also found two major haplotypes among the four novel SNPs. In addition, we compared the genotype and allele frequencies of the c.149G>A (R50H) SNP and found significantly different distributions among eight dog breeds. Furthermore, we annotated the c.149G>A (R50H) SNP of the dog PRND gene using in silico tools, PolyPhen-2, PROVEAN, and PANTHER. Finally, we examined linkage disequilibrium between the PRNP and PRND genes in dogs. Interestingly, we did not find a strong genetic linkage between these two genes. To the best of our knowledge, this was the first genetic study of the PRND gene in a prion disease-resistant animal, a dog.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sae-Young Won
- Korea Zoonosis Research Institute, Chonbuk National University, Iksan, Jeonbuk 54531, Korea.
- Department of Bioactive Material Sciences, Chonbuk National University, Jeonju, Jeonbuk 54896, Korea.
| | - Yong-Chan Kim
- Korea Zoonosis Research Institute, Chonbuk National University, Iksan, Jeonbuk 54531, Korea.
- Department of Bioactive Material Sciences, Chonbuk National University, Jeonju, Jeonbuk 54896, Korea.
| | - Kiwon Kim
- Haemalken Animal Hospital, Yangju, Gyeonggi 11492, Korea.
| | - An-Dang Kim
- Cool-Pet Animal Hospital, Anyang, Gyeonggi 14066, Korea.
| | - Byung-Hoon Jeong
- Korea Zoonosis Research Institute, Chonbuk National University, Iksan, Jeonbuk 54531, Korea.
- Department of Bioactive Material Sciences, Chonbuk National University, Jeonju, Jeonbuk 54896, Korea.
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14
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A Single Amino Acid Substitution, Found in Mammals with Low Susceptibility to Prion Diseases, Delays Propagation of Two Prion Strains in Highly Susceptible Transgenic Mouse Models. Mol Neurobiol 2019; 56:6501-6511. [PMID: 30847740 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-019-1535-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2018] [Accepted: 02/22/2019] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Specific variations in the amino acid sequence of prion protein (PrP) are key determinants of susceptibility to prion diseases. We previously showed that an amino acid substitution specific to canids confers resistance to prion diseases when expressed in mice and demonstrated its dominant-negative protective effect against a variety of infectious prion strains of different origins and characteristics. Here, we show that expression of this single amino acid change significantly increases survival time in transgenic mice expressing bank vole cellular prion protein (PrPC), which is inherently prone to misfolding, following inoculation with two distinct prion strains (the CWD-vole strain and an atypical strain of spontaneous origin). This amino acid substitution hinders the propagation of both prion strains, even when expressed in the context of a PrPC uniquely susceptible to a wide range of prion isolates. Non-inoculated mice expressing this substitution experience spontaneous prion formation, but showing an increase in survival time comparable to that observed in mutant mice inoculated with the atypical strain. Our results underscore the importance of this PrP variant in the search for molecules with therapeutic potential against prion diseases.
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15
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Fernández-Borges N, Eraña H, Castilla J. Behind the potential evolution towards prion resistant species. Prion 2018; 12:83-87. [PMID: 29388474 DOI: 10.1080/19336896.2018.1435935] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Historically, the observation of naturally occurring cases of prion disease led to the classification of different susceptibility grades and to the designation of prion resistant species. However, the development of highly efficient in vitro prion propagation systems and the generation of ad hoc transgenic models allowed determining that leporidae and equidae families have been erroneously considered resistant to prion infection. On the contrary, similar approaches revealed an unexpected high level of resistance of the canidae family. In PLoS Pathogens [ 1 ], we describe experiments directed toward elucidating which are the determinants of the alleged prion resistance of this family. Studies based on the sequence of the canine prion protein coupled with structural in silico analysis identified a key residue probably implicated in this resistance. Cell and brain-based PMCA highlighted that the presence of aspartic or glutamic acid at codon 163 of the canid PrP, strongly inhibits prion replication in vitro. Transgenic animals carrying this substitution in mouse PrP were resistant to prion infection after intracerebral challenge with different mouse prion strains. The confirmation of the importance of this substitution and its exclusivity in this family, suggests it could have been evolutionarily favored, due to their diet based on carrion and small ruminants.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Hasier Eraña
- a CIC bioGUNE, Parque Tecnológico de Bizkaia , Derio , Spain
| | - Joaquín Castilla
- a CIC bioGUNE, Parque Tecnológico de Bizkaia , Derio , Spain.,b IKERBASQUE, Basque Foundation for Science , Bilbao , Spain
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