Sodium hydroxide renders the prion protein PrPSc sensitive to proteinase K

Abstract

Sodium hydroxide (NaOH) solutions are widely used for the purification of contaminated equipment, as they are known to inactivate a variety of pathogens. However, information about their effect on agents causing transmissible spongiform encephalopathy (TSE) is sparse and contradictory. Scrapie hamster brain homogenate, containing the disease-associated form of the prion protein (PrP Sc ), was exposed to NaOH. Kinetics studies showed that treatment of brain homogenate with millimolar concentrations of NaOH rapidly abolished the proteinase K-resistant form of the prion protein (PrP res ). NaOH treatment converted PrP Sc into a protease-sensitive form, either in solution or when adsorbed to a metallic surface. If infectivity of TSEs is linked with PrP res , the results imply that inactivation of TSE occurs more efficiently than currently assumed.

Decellularized Cartilage Matrix as a Novel Biomatrix for Cartilage Tissue-Engineering Applications

“…24 In recent studies, it could be proved that NaOH is effective to inactivate aberrantly folded cellular proteins (PrP sc , prions), causative agents for TSEs. [24][25][26] In consequence, PrP sc are eliminated and cross contaminations minimized. Furthermore, NaOH not only destroys PrP sc but also removes HIV, HAV, HBV and HCV, and DNA/RNA.…”

Critical factors influencing prion inactivation by sodium hydroxide

“…One relatively effective prion decontamination agent is NaOH, which has been tested against model rodent and human TSE agents [14–22]. Study variations in both the model agents used as spiking materials and the decontamination conditions tested have sometimes caused results to appear inconsistent.…”

Pathogen safety of human C1 esterase inhibitor concentrate

“…The routine cleaning and sanitization procedures implemented in the manufacturing process for C1‐INH according to GMP requirements effectively inactivate and/or remove viruses and prions that might be present in equipment and material, 23,27‐35 resulting in effective batch‐to‐batch segregation. The efficacy of sanitization by NaOH regarding viruses and prions was also demonstrated for the HIC in the experiments presented.…”