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PrPC Governs Susceptibility to Prion Strains in Bank Vole, While Other Host Factors Modulate Strain Features
J C Espinosa1, R Nonno2, M Di Bari2
1Centro de Investigación en Sanidad Animal (INIA-CISA), Valdeolmos, Madrid, Spain.
Journal of Virology
|September 23, 2016
Summary
Bank voles exhibit varied susceptibility to prion strains, which can be replicated in transgenic mice. This suggests the prion protein (PrP) sequence is key, but other factors also influence prion strain characteristics.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Prion Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Bank voles show differential susceptibility to prion strains.
- Transgenic mice expressing bank vole PrP can model this susceptibility.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically compare prion transmission features in bank voles and bank vole PrP-transgenic mice.
- To determine the role of the PrP sequence versus other host factors in prion susceptibility and strain propagation.
Main Methods:
- Experimental transmission of diverse prion strains.
- Assaying prion transmission in bank voles (Bv109M) and bank vole PrP-transgenic mice (BvPrP-Tg407).
- Comparison of prion transmission properties and PrPSc types.
Main Results:
- Bank voles and BvPrP-Tg407 mice displayed very similar prion transmission properties.
- The PrP amino acid sequence is a major determinant of prion transmission susceptibility.
- Differences in propagated PrPSc types suggest non-PrP host factors modulate prion strain features.
Conclusions:
- The bank vole PrP sequence largely dictates prion transmission susceptibility.
- Host factors beyond PrP sequence influence the selection and characteristics of replicating prion strains.
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