Award details

Structural biology of the prion protein; function and misfunction

ReferenceBS516514
Principal Investigator / Supervisor Dr John Viles
Co-Investigators /
Co-Supervisors
Professor David Brown
Institution Queen Mary University of London
DepartmentSch of Biological and Chemical Sciences
Funding typeResearch
Value (£) 321,468
StatusCompleted
TypeResearch Grant
Start date 27/05/2002
End date 26/02/2006
Duration45 months

Abstract

The prion protein (PrP) when misfolded is responsible for CJD in humans and BSE in cattle. PrP is a copper-binding cell surface protein, and the unstructured N-terminal domain cooperatively binds four Cu(II) ions. We aim to determine the structure of PrP in its physiologically relevant copper loaded forms. Folding intermediates of PrP will also be characterised. Using a number of spectroscopic techniques, in particular NMR and CD, we will study recombinant and synthetic fragments of the prion protein. The proposal represents a step towards understanding the function and misfolding process of the prion protein.

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
terms and conditions of use (opens in new window)
export PDF file