NR AQJP
AU Genoud,N.; Behrens,A.; Arrighi,I.; Aguzzi,A.
TI Prion proteins and infertility: insight from mouse models.
QU Cytogenetic and Genome Research 2003; 103(3-4): 285-9
PT journal article; review; review, tutorial
AB A wealth of evidence points to an abnormal form of the prion protein called PrPsc as the transmissible agent responsible for prion diseases. However, the physiological function of its normal conformer, the cellular prion protein (PrPc), is still unknown. Recently, a homologue of PrPc was discovered and denoted Doppel (Dpl). In contrast to PrP, mice deficient for Dpl suffer from an important pathological phenotype: male sterility. This phenotype shifts the attention from the brain, where most of the investigations on Dpl have been performed, to testis, raising hope to resolve the long lasting search of PrPc function.
ZR 37
MH Animals; Disease Models, Animal; Genetic Vectors; Infertility, Male/*etiology; Lentivirus/genetics; Male; Mice; Mice, Knockout; PrPc Proteins/physiology; Prion Diseases/etiology; Prions/genetics/*physiology; Support, Non-U.S. Gov't; Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.; Testis/metabolism
AD Institute of Neuropathology, UniversitätsSpital Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland.
SP englisch
PO Schweiz