Prion diseases are neurodegenerative disorders caused by the misfolding of the cellular prion protein (PrP). Gerstmann-Sträussler-Scheinker syndrome is an inherited prion disease with one early-onset allele (HRdup) containing an eight-amino-acid insertion; this LGGLGGYV insert is positioned after valine 129 (human PrP sequence) in a hydrophobic tract in the natively disordered region. Here we have characterized the structure and explored the molecular motions and dynamics of HRdup PrP and a control allele. High-resolution NMR data suggest that the core of HRdup has a canonical PrP structure, yet a nascent β-structure is observed in the flexible elongated hydrophobic region of HRdup. In addition, using mouse PrP sequence, we observed that a methionine/valine polymorphism at codon 128 (equivalent of methionine/valine 129 in human sequence) and oligomerization caused by high protein concentration affects conformational exchange dynamics at residue G130. We hypothesize that with the β-structure at the N-terminus, the hydrophobic region of HRdup can adopt a fully extended configuration and fold back to form an extended β-sheet with the existing β-sheet. We propose that these structures are early chemical events in disease pathogenesis.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jmb.2019.04.027 | DOI Listing |
Int J Mol Sci
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Laboratory of Structural Dynamics, Stability and Folding of Proteins, Institute of Cytology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 4 Tikhoretsky Ave., 194064 St. Petersburg, Russia.
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College of Food Science and Pharmacy, Xinjiang Agricultural University, Urumqi 830052, PR China. Electronic address:
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View Article and Find Full Text PDFEnviron Sci Technol
January 2025
Center for Excellence in Regional Atmospheric Environment, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen 361021, P.R. China.
Water vapor is a significant component in real volatile organic compounds (VOCs) exhaust gas and has a considerable impact on the catalytic performance of catalysts for VOC oxidation. Important progress has been made in the reaction mechanisms of HO and water resistance strategies for VOC oxidation in recent years. Despite advancements in catalytic technology, most catalysts still exhibit low activity under humid conditions, presenting a challenge in reducing the adverse effects of HO on VOC oxidation.
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