In vitro prion amplification methodology for inhibitor screening

Abstract

Prion (PrPC) is an endogenous protein found mainly in the nervous system, and its misfolded isoform (PrPSc) is associated with a group of neurodegenerative disorders known as transmissible spongiform encephalopathies, or simply prion diseases. The PrPSc isoform shows an intriguing ability to self-perpetuate, acting as template for PrPC misfolding and consequent aggregation. Aggregation in vitro and in vivo follows a fibrillation processes that is associated with neurodegeneration. Therefore, it is important to investigate and understand the molecular mechanisms involved in this process; such understanding also allows investigation of the action of possible candidate molecules to inhibit this process. Here, we highlight useful in vitro methodologies and analyses that were developed using PrP as a protein model but that, as other amyloid proteins also exhibit the same behavior, may be applied to understand other “prion-like” diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease.