cDNA cloning of turtle prion protein

Abstract

Cloning of the cDNA coding for the 270-residue turtle prion protein is reported. It represents the most remote example thus far described. The entire coding region is comprised in a single exon, while a large intron interrupts the 5P P UTR. The common structural features of the known prion proteins are all conserved in turtle PrP, whose identity degree to mammalian and avian proteins is about 40 and 58%, respectively. The most intriguing feature, unique to the turtle prion, is the presence of an EF-hand Ca 2+ binding motif in the C-terminal half of the protein.z 2000 Federation of European Biochemical Societies.

Analysis of sequence variations of prion protein gene in dromedary camels in Iran

“…For instance, in sporadic CJD, the codon 129 polymorphism bringing about either valine or methionine has a significant effect on both susceptibility and phenotypic expression of disease (Johnson & Gibbs 1998). The sequence of PrP gene has been revealed in a number of species and has proven to be highly conserved during the evolution process (Simonic et al 2000;Collinge 2001;Yang et al 2005;Kim et al 2008). There is no evidence and report of TSE outbreak in camels, neither twohumped camel nor one-humped camel.…”

Two different neurodegenerative diseases caused by proteins with similar structures

“…However, the absence of the octarepeat sequences in the Dpl protein raises doubts as to whether Dpl can actually assume the function of PrP C . The octarepeat sequences are highly conserved in PrP C from various mammalian species, and similar repeating sequences are conserved in birds and reptiles (37). This finding argues for the functional significance of these sequences that is borne out by their apparent specificity in the binding of Cu(II) (13).…”

New insights into cellular prion protein (PrPc) functions: The “ying and yang” of a relevant protein

“…However, alignments of human and mammalian PRNP sequences indicate that codons located between residues 90 and 130 influence the transmissibility of prions in mammals, including humans (Schatzl et al, 1995). In addition, some paralogue genes have been described in chicken, amphibians, reptiles and fish (Gabriel et al, 1992;Simonic et al, 2000;Strumbo et al, 2001;Suzuki et al, 2002) 2. Tissue and cellular expression of PrP c : from the whole organism to the neuronal synapse.…”