NR AVSR

AU Inouye,H.; Kirschner,D.A.

TI X-Ray fiber and powder diffraction of PrP prion peptides

QU Advances in Protein Chemistry 2006; 73: 181-215

PT journal article; research support, non-u.s. gov't; review

AB A conformational change from the alpha-helical, cellular form of prion to the beta-sheet, scrapie (infectious) form is the central event for prion replication. The folding mechanism underlying this conformational change has not yet been deciphered. Here, we review prion pathology and summarize X-ray fiber and powder diffraction studies on the N-terminal fragments of prion protein and on short sequences that initiate the beta-assembly for various fibrils, including poly(L-alanine) and poly(L-glutamine). We discuss how the quarter-staggered beta-sheet assembly (like in polyalanine) and polar-zipper beta-sheet formation (like in polyglutamine) may be involved in the formation of the scrapie form of prion.

ZR 135

MH Powder Diffraction/*methods; Prions/*chemistry; Protein Conformation; X-Ray Diffraction/*methods

AD Department of Biology, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts 02467, USA

SP englisch

PO USA

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