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Activation of Apoptosis by Cytoplasmic Microinjection of Cytochrome c
07:42

Activation of Apoptosis by Cytoplasmic Microinjection of Cytochrome c

Published on: June 29, 2011

Cytosolic PrP induces apoptosis of cell by disrupting microtubule assembly

Xiao-Li Li1, Gui-Rong Wang, Yuan-Yuan Jing

  • 1State Key Laboratory for Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, National Institute for Viral Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Ying-Xin Rd 100, Beijing, 100052, People's Republic of China.

Journal of Molecular Neuroscience : MN
|September 15, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Cytosolic prion protein (PrP) disrupts microtubule formation, leading to reduced cell viability and apoptosis. This cellular PrP accumulation impacts tubulin levels, suggesting a role in neuronal cell death.

Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Neuroscience
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Prion protein (PrP) interacts with tubulin, affecting microtubule dynamics.
  • The precise role of cytosolic PrP in cellular processes remains unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the impact of cytosolic prion protein accumulation on microtubule structure and cell viability.
  • To explore the relationship between PrP, tubulin, and apoptosis in cellular models and scrapie-infected brains.

Main Methods:

  • Transfection of HeLa cells with a plasmid expressing human PrP23-230.
  • Immunoprecipitation assays to detect PrP-tubulin interaction.
  • Confocal and immunofluorescent microscopy to visualize PrP and microtubule structures.
  • Assessment of cell viability and apoptosis.
  • Analysis of tubulin levels in scrapie-infected hamster brains.

Main Results:

  • Cytosolic PrP co-localizes with tubulin in the cytoplasm.
  • Accumulation of cytosolic PrP disrupts microtubule organization.
  • Reduced cell viability and increased apoptosis were observed in cells with cytosolic PrP.
  • Microtubule protein levels decreased in cells expressing cytosolic PrP.
  • Lower levels of endogenous tubulin were found in scrapie-infected hamster brains.

Conclusions:

  • Abnormal cytosolic PrP accumulation disrupts the microtubule framework, leading to cell death.
  • The microtubule-disrupting activity of cytosolic PrP is linked to apoptosis, potentially shedding light on PrP's neuronal function.

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