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High-throughput Screening for Protein-based Inheritance in S. cerevisiae

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Prion Partitioning and Persistence in Environmental Waters.

E Anu Li^1,2, Diana L Karwan^1,2, Stuart Siegfried Lichtenberg^2,3

¹Department of Forest Resources, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, Minnesota 55108, United States.

Environmental Science & Technology

|March 13, 2025

Summary

Chronic wasting disease prions readily bind to sediment in water, facilitating their spread. This research shows prions persist in sediments, highlighting the risk of hydrological transport for this cervid disease.

Keywords:

aquatic sediment chronic wasting disease environmental contamination facilitated transport hydrology prion disease sediment

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Area of Science:

Environmental Science
Veterinary Medicine
Neurodegenerative Diseases

Background:

Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is a fatal prion disease impacting cervids.
Prions are environmentally persistent and can spread through water and soil.
Understanding prion behavior in aquatic environments is crucial for CWD management.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the partitioning and persistence of CWD prions (PrP^CWD) in environmental waters.
To assess the role of sediments in hydrological prion transport.

Main Methods:

Conducted PrP^CWD spike experiments in water samples with sediments from a CWD-contaminated site.
Filtered samples to separate water (filtrates) and sediment fractions.
Analyzed PrP^CWD presence using real-time quaking-induced conversion (RT-QuIC).

Main Results:

PrP^CWD was detected in sediments one year after contamination sources were removed.
Spiked PrP^CWD readily partitioned to sediments and persisted for 28 days.
Filtrates showed minimal and inconsistent PrP^CWD presence, indicating limited prion solubility.

Conclusions:

PrP^CWD strongly associates with sediment in environmental waters.
Sediment-facilitated transport is a primary mechanism for hydrological spread of CWD prions.
Findings emphasize the importance of sediment management in controlling CWD transmission.