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Analysis of PrP Conformation Using Circular Dichroism

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Prion Protein Protocols

Part of the book series: Methods in Molecular Biology™ ((MIMB,volume 459))

Summary

The availability of recombinant prion proteins (recPrP) has been exploited as a model system to study PrP-mediated toxicity, conversion, and infectivity. According to the protein only hypothesis, the central event in the pathogenesis of prion diseases is the conversion of PrPC to PrPSc. This involves a dramatic increase in β sheet conformation as PrPC is converted to PrPSc, and it is widely believed that this conformational change affects the as-yet undefined function of PrPC. Although there are many methods available to monitor for the changes in the structural makeup of PrP mutants and oligomers formed with respect to disease relevance, circular dichroism is one of the most popular methods used. In this chapter, we discuss the fundamental principles of circular dichroism and its current role and applications in prion disease research.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and Department of Pathology, Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, Department of Pathology and Mental Health Research Institute of Victoria, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia

    Sen Han & Andrew F. Hill

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  1. Sen Han
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  2. Andrew F. Hill
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute; Department of Pathology and Mental Health Institute of Victoria, University of Melbourne, 30 Flemington Road Parkville, Melbourne, VIC, 3010, Australia

    Andrew F. Hill

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Han, S., Hill, A.F. (2008). Analysis of PrP Conformation Using Circular Dichroism. In: Hill, A.F. (eds) Prion Protein Protocols. Methods in Molecular Biology™, vol 459. Humana Press. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-59745-234-2_11

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-59745-234-2_11

  • Publisher Name: Humana Press

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-58829-897-3

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-59745-234-2

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