Springer Protocols: Abstract: 6. Neurotoxicity of Prion Peptides on Cultured Cerebellar Neurons

6. Neurotoxicity of Prion Peptides on Cultured Cerebellar Neurons

By: Giuseppe D. Ciccotosto³, Roberto Cappai³, Anthony R. White⁴

Abstract

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Prion peptide (PrP) neurotoxicity has been modelled in vitro by using synthetic peptides derived from the PrP^C sequence. The major region of neurotoxicity has been localized to the hydrophobic domain located in the middle of the PrP sequence. The neurotoxicity assays are typically performed on cultured mouse cerebellar neurons derived from neonatal pups, and viability can be monitored by a variety of assays, including MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium); MTS (3-(4,5-dimeth-ylthiazol-2-yl)-5-(3-carboxymethoxyphenyl)-2-(4-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium, inner salt) lactate dehydrogenase release; and apoptotic assays. These neurotoxicity studies have been useful in identifying cofactors, such as PrP^C and metals as modulators of PrP peptide-mediated neurotoxicity. Given the biosafety issues associated with handling and purifying infectious prions, the use of synthetic peptides that display a dependence upon PrP^C expression for toxicity, as per the PrP^Sc agent for infectivity, supports the relevance of using these synthetic peptides for understanding PrP-mediated neurotoxicity.

Affiliation(s): (3) Department of Pathology and Mental Health Research Institute of Victoria, Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
(4) Department of Pathology and Mental Health Research Institute of Victoria, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia

Book Title: Prion Protein Protocols

Series: Methods in Molecular Biology | Volume: 459 | Pub. Date: Jun-04-2008 | Page Range: 83-96 | DOI: 10.1007/978-1-59745-234-2_6

Subject: Protein Science

Key Words: Cell viability - cultured cerebellar neurons - immunofluorescence - lipid peroxidation - neurotoxicity - prion peptide (PrP) - PrP106–126

References

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