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Structure and dynamics of full length prion proteins anchored in lipid membranes

ReferenceBS516471
Principal Investigator / Supervisor Dr Teresa Pinheiro
Co-Investigators /
Co-Supervisors
Institution University of Warwick
DepartmentBiological Sciences
Funding typeResearch
Value (£) 257,756
StatusCompleted
TypeResearch Grant
Start date 14/05/2002
End date 13/07/2005
Duration38 months

Abstract

The conversion of the cellular benign form of the prion protein (PrP) into a pathogenic isoform appears to be a key event in prion diseases. Despite solution structures of a few mammalian PrP and several studies addressing PrP conversion in solution, the molecular mechanism of this undesirable event is not understood. PrP is a GPI-anchored plasma membrane protein and it is recognised that the conversion of PrP is likely to occur at the plasma membrane or in the endosomal/lysosomal pathway. However, structural biophysical studies of PrP in lipid membranes are scarce. A strategy is proposed to study the structural properties of PrP in membranes and to identify membrane-associated conformations of PrP that might mediate PrP conversion.

Summary

unavailable
Committee Closed Committee - Agri-food (AF)
Research TopicsX – not assigned to a current Research Topic
Research PriorityX – Research Priority information not available
Research Initiative Biology of Spongiform Encephalopathies - Phase 5 (BS5) [2001]
Funding SchemeX – not Funded via a specific Funding Scheme
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