Prion proteins are known as the main agents of transmissible spongiform encephalopathies affecting humans as well as animals. A recombinant ovine prion protein was found to be in vitro able to act as an effective substrate for a microbial isoform of transglutaminase, an enzyme catalyzing the formation of isopeptide bonds inside the proteins. We proved that transglutaminase modifies the structure of the prion protein by leading to the formation of three intra-molecular crosslinks and that the crosslinked protein form is more competent in amyloid formation compared to the unmodified one. In addition, the crosslinked prion protein was shown also to be more resistant to proteinase K digestion. Our findings suggest a possible use of transglutaminase in stabilizing the prion protein three-dimensional structure in order to investigate the molecular basis of the conversion of the protein into its pathological form.
Higher susceptibility to amyloid fibril formation of the recombinant ovine prion protein modified by transglutaminase / Sorrentino, Angela; Giosafatto, CONCETTA VALERIA LUCIA; Sirangelo, Ivana; De Simone, Carmela; DI PIERRO, Prospero; Porta, Raffaele; Mariniello, Loredana. - In: BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA. MOLECULAR BASIS OF DISEASE. - ISSN 0925-4439. - 1822:10(2012), pp. 1509-1515. [10.1016/j.bbadis.2012.06.003]
Higher susceptibility to amyloid fibril formation of the recombinant ovine prion protein modified by transglutaminase
SORRENTINO, ANGELA;GIOSAFATTO, CONCETTA VALERIA LUCIA;DI PIERRO, PROSPERO;PORTA, RAFFAELE;MARINIELLO, LOREDANA
2012
Abstract
Prion proteins are known as the main agents of transmissible spongiform encephalopathies affecting humans as well as animals. A recombinant ovine prion protein was found to be in vitro able to act as an effective substrate for a microbial isoform of transglutaminase, an enzyme catalyzing the formation of isopeptide bonds inside the proteins. We proved that transglutaminase modifies the structure of the prion protein by leading to the formation of three intra-molecular crosslinks and that the crosslinked protein form is more competent in amyloid formation compared to the unmodified one. In addition, the crosslinked prion protein was shown also to be more resistant to proteinase K digestion. Our findings suggest a possible use of transglutaminase in stabilizing the prion protein three-dimensional structure in order to investigate the molecular basis of the conversion of the protein into its pathological form.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.