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Updated: Aug 8, 2026

Structure and Coordination Determination of Peptide-metal Complexes Using 1D and 2D 1H NMR
Published on: December 16, 2013
The cellular prion protein binds copper in vivo
1Department of Neuropathology, Georg-August-Universität Göttingen, Germany.
The cellular prion protein (PrPC) binds copper (Cu(II)) in the brain. PrPC gene-ablated mice show reduced copper levels and altered cellular functions, indicating PrPC acts as a copper-binding protein in vivo.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Biochemistry
- Prion Biology
Background:
- The normal cellular prion protein (PrPC) is implicated as a precursor to pathogenic forms (PrPSc) causing neurodegenerative diseases like BSE and CJD.
- The octapeptide repeat region in the PrPC amino terminus is highly conserved across mammals.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the interaction between PrPC and copper ions (Cu(II)).
- To determine the physiological relevance of PrPC-copper binding in vivo.
Main Methods:
- Utilized PrPC gene-ablated (Prnp0/0) mice to assess copper content and cellular phenotypes.
- Analyzed copper binding affinity and cooperativity of the PrPC amino-terminal domain at neutral pH.
- Examined copper levels in various subcellular fractions of brain extracts.
Main Results:
- Demonstrated that the PrPC amino-terminal domain binds Cu(II) at five to six sites with positive cooperativity.
- Observed significantly reduced copper content in brain extracts, synaptosomal, and endosome-enriched fractions of Prnp0/0 mice.
- Reported altered cellular phenotypes in Prnp0/0 mice, including reduced copper/zinc superoxide dismutase activity and modified electrophysiological responses.
Conclusions:
- PrPC functions as a copper-binding protein (Cu-metalloprotein) in vivo.
- PrPC's interaction with copper influences cellular functions and may be relevant to prion-related diseases.
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