The GPI-anchoring of PrP: implications in sorting and pathogenesis.

摘要: The cellular prion protein (PrPC) is an N-glycosylated GPI-anchored usually present in lipid rafts with numerous putative functions. When it changes its conformation to a pathological isoform (then referred as PrPSc), essential part of the prion, agent causing fatal and transmissible neurodegenerative diseases. There growing evidence that toxicity neuronal damage on one hand propagation/infectivity other are two distinct processes disease GPI-anchor attachment PrPC PrPSc plays important role localization neurotoxicity. Here we review how signal sequence matters localization, altered or differences composition can affect infection, discuss through which mechanisms anchorage modify process.