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Title: A SOLID-PHASE ASSAY FOR IDENTIFICATION OF MODULATORS OF PRION PROTEIN INTERACTIONS

Author
item MAXSON, LAURA - YALE UNIVERSITY
item WONG, CAI'NE - IDEXX LABS
item Hoesing, Lynn
item CAUGHEY, BYRON - ROCKY MOUNTAIN LABS
item BARON, GERALD - ROCKY MOUNTAIN LABS

Submitted to: Analytical Biochemistry
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/31/2003
Publication Date: 9/12/2003
Citation: Maxson, L., Wong, C., Herrmann, L.M., Caughey, B., Baron, G.S. 2003. A solid-phase assay for identification of modulators of prion protein interactions. Analytical Biochemistry. 323:54-64.

Interpretive Summary: Transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs) or prion diseases include natural sheep scrapie, bovine spongiform encephalopathy, Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, and chronic wasting disease. The central mechanism in prion diseases is the conversion of an endogenous proteinase K sensitive prion protein to a proteinase K resistant prion protein. A high-throughput, solid-phase assay has been developed based upon the in vitro cell-free conversion reaction. This solid-phase assay allows screening of various compounds for anti-conversion activity. Testing many compounds for anti-conversion activity will lead to possible prion therapeutics and greater understanding of prion disease.

Technical Abstract: The progression of the transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs) is characterized in part by accumulation of a proteinase K resistant form of the prion protein, which has been converted from the endogenous, proteinase K sensitive form. This conversion reaction provides a target for possible anti-TSE strategies. We have adapted a cell-free conversion reaction to a high throughput, solid-phase format that can be used to screen possible therapeutic compounds for inhibitory activity or to illuminate inhibition and conversion mechanisms. The solid-phase assay was compatible with reactions performed under a variety of conditions. Using this assay, we report that phthalocyanine tetrasulfonate, a known modulator of conversion, inhibited conversion by interfering with binding between the protease-sensitive and protease-resistant forms of the prion protein. A biotinylated form of the protease-sensitive prion protein was successfully converted to the protease-resistant isoform in the solid-phase assay, indicating that biotinylation provides a non-isotopic labeling strategy for large scale screens.