Prion Protein and Alzheimers

New research suggests that the prion protein, normally responsible for diseases such as Mad Cow and Cruetzfeldt-Jakob disease, may be linked to the beta-amyloid protein, which is responsible for the dangerous plaque buildup seen in Alzheimers. Small clumps of beta-amyloid protein called oligomers are most likely the cause of the cell death affecting memory in the brain. The pressing question has been whether A-beta acts on the cell directly or acts on receptors in order to cause damage.

Scientists tested 225,000 proteins in mice for their ability to sense oligomers. Only one protein, the prion protein, bound to the dangerous oligomers while leaving the normal beta-amyloid plaques alone. Then the scientists proceeded to block the amino acids responsible for the binding of the prion protein to A-beta plaques, and the oligomers no longer had a negative effect on cell activity. This suggests that the prion is involved in the cell damage caused by oligomers in Alzheimers, which would lead to a new therapy of prion protein blocking in order to reduce the brain damage typically seen. Even though there are still endless questions associated with this discovery, like whether or not the prion protein works the same way in humans as it does mice, it is still one step towards the hope for a cure for Alzheimers.

Source:http://www.sciencenews.org/view/generic/id/41188/title/Prions_complicit_in_Alzheimer%E2%80%99s_disease

Alicia Raftery
VTPP 435-502