The First Evaluation of Proteinase K-Resistant Prion Protein (PrP^Sc) in Korean Appendix Specimens

Background and Objectives: Prion diseases are fatal neurodegenerative disorders caused by the abnormal proteinase K-resistant prion protein (PrP^Sc). Since variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) was first reported in the United Kingdom (UK) in 1996, the occurrence of variant CJD has been reported in over 10 countries. To date, variant CJD has not been reported in Korea. However, the E211K somatic mutation in the prion protein gene (PRNP), which is related to bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), was reported in Korean Holstein cattle, and atypical BSE, which is supposed to be sporadic BSE, has been occurring in many countries, including Japan and the USA. These results suggest that BSE may occur naturally in Korea. Thus, we performed a preemptive PrP^Sc test in appendix specimens to diagnose variant CJD in a Korean population. Materials and Methods: In the present study, we investigated CJD-related mutations and polymorphisms of the PRNP gene and carried out an examination on PrP^Sc in appendix specimens of Korean patients after appendectomy. Results: In all Korean appendix specimens tested, PrP^Sc bands were not detected. Conclusion: To the best of our knowledge, this was the first evaluation of PrP^Sc in Korean appendix specimens.