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Updated: Jul 23, 2026

Preparation of Synaptoneurosomes from Mouse Cortex using a Discontinuous Percoll-Sucrose Density Gradient
Published on: September 17, 2011
Function of PrP(C) as a copper-binding protein at the synapse
H A Kretzschmar1, T Tings, A Madlung
1Institute of Neuropathology, University of Göttingen, Germany.
Abstract:
The prion protein (PrP(C)) shows cooperative copper binding of the N-terminal octarepeat (PHGGGWGO) x4. In brain homogenates, PrP(C) is found in highest concentration in synaptosomal fractions. Mice devoid of PrP(C) (Prnp0/0 mice) show synaptosomal copper concentrations diminished by 50% as compared to normal mice. PrP(C) in the synaptic cleft may serve as a copper buffer. Alternatively it may play a role in the re-uptake of copper into the presynapse or may be of structural importance for the N-terminus and thus may influence binding of PrP(C) to other proteins.
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