Sigurdson
Fakultäten » Medizinische Fakultät » Neuropathologie, Institut für » Prof. Dr. Adriano Aguzzi » Sigurdson
Completed research project
| Title / Titel | Does the unique fixed loop in the elk prion protein alter TSE pathogenesis or susceptibility? | ||||
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| Abstract (PDF, 14 KB) | |||||
| Summary / Zusammenfassung | Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is prion disease of wild and captive deer and elk in North America which is efficiently transmitted among animals. The prevalence is startingly high in free ranging animals, up to 20% in some regions. The structural characterization of the elk prion protein has revealed a rigid loop which has not been seen in the prion protein of other species. The loop exists at a part of the prion which has a discontinuous epitope and is suspected to be part of a protein X binding site (Kaneko et al, 1997). Using a transgenic mouse model, we will recreate this rigid loop and determine whether it may influence species barriers or whether this structural feature has an effect on the prion pathogenesis. |
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| Keywords / Suchbegriffe | Chronic wasting disease, CWD, prion structure | ||||
| Project leadership and contacts / Projektleitung und Kontakte |
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| Other links to external web pages | http://www.uzh.ch/pathol/neuropathologie/d/index.html | ||||
| Funding source(s) / Unterstützt durch |
Others NIH K08 Mentored Clinical Scientist Development Award |
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| In collaboration with / In Zusammenarbeit mit |
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| Duration of Project / Projektdauer | Jan 2003 to Dec 2006 |