Fishing for prion protein function

PLoS Biol. 2009 Mar 31;7(3):e75. doi: 10.1371/journal.pbio.1000075.

Abstract

The prion protein is infamous for its role in devastating neurological diseases, but its normal, physiological function has remained mysterious. A new study uses the experimentally tractable zebrafish model to obtain fresh clues to this puzzle.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cadherins / metabolism
  • Calcium / metabolism
  • Cell Adhesion*
  • Cell Line
  • Embryo, Nonmammalian / metabolism
  • Embryo, Nonmammalian / physiology*
  • Humans
  • Morphogenesis
  • Neurons
  • PrPC Proteins / metabolism
  • PrPC Proteins / physiology
  • Prions / metabolism
  • Prions / physiology*
  • Zebrafish / embryology*
  • Zebrafish / metabolism

Substances

  • Cadherins
  • PrPC Proteins
  • Prions
  • Calcium