Oxidative impairment in scrapie-infected mice is associated with brain metals perturbations and altered antioxidant activities

摘要: Prion diseases are characterized by the conversion of normal cellular prion protein (PrPC) into a pathogenic isoform (PrPSc). PrPC binds copper, has superoxide dismutase (SOD)-like activity in vitro, and its expression aids in response to oxidative stress. However, interplay between PrPs (PrPC, PrPSc possibly other abnormal species), anti-oxidation pathogenesis remain unclear. In this study, we reported dramatic depression SOD-like affinity-purified from scrapie-infected brains, together with significant reduction Cu/Zn-SOD activity, correlates perturbations divalent metals contents. We also detected elevated levels nitric oxide infected which could be escalating modification proteins, reducing gluathione peroxidase increasing lipid peroxidation markers. Taken together, our results suggest that brain metal imbalances, especially scrapie infection is likely affect functions PrP SODs, which, dysfunctions, predispose brains impairment eventual degeneration. To knowledge, first study documenting physiological connection function PrP, aberrations responses stress, infection.