Early induction of protein nexin-I in scrapie.

Abstract

We used RNA fingerprinting by arbitrary primed PCR to identify genes whose expression is up-regulated in the brain of hamsters affected by prion disease. One gene implicated by RNA fingerprinting encoded the hamster homologue of protein nexin-I (PN-I), a serine proteinase inhibitor, and was further investigated by Northern blot analysis. PN-I mRNA levels were increased at pre-clinical stages (19 days after inoculation) and remained elevated when the spongiform encephalopathy was anatomopathologically and clinically evident (at 50 and 80 days). Future RNA screening conducted as illustrated may help to reveal a spectrum of genes relevant for the etiopathogenesis and/or diagnosis of prion disease.

• Authors: S Cavallaro, C J Gibbs, P Pergami
• Journal: Neuroreport (Neuroreport) Vol. 10 Issue 8 Pg. 1677-81 (Jun 03 1999) ISSN: 0959-4965 [Print] England
• PMID: 10501556 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Carrier Proteins
• RNA

Topics

• Animals
• Base Sequence
• Blotting, Northern
• Blotting, Western
• Brain (metabolism)
• Carrier Proteins (biosynthesis, genetics)
• Cricetinae
• Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel
• Female
• Immunohistochemistry
• Mesocricetus
• Molecular Sequence Data
• RNA (biosynthesis, genetics)
• Scrapie (metabolism)
• Up-Regulation