RNA Found to Stimulate Prion Conversion

Furthermore, whereas mammalian RNA preparations stimulated amplification of PrPSc, RNA preparations from invertebrate species did not. Addition of RNA-cleavage enzymes inhibited amplification, which could be re-established by supplementing with whole RNA. These findings were published in the October 16, 2003, issue of Nature.

"This stimulatory RNA appears to be a specific one, which makes it exciting to study. If we can identify, clone, and produce this specific RNA, it may be useful as a therapeutic target or a diagnostic tool. In addition, it may offer clues to the mechanism of conversion,” said senior author Dr. Surachai Supattapone, assistant professor of biochemistry and medicine at Dartmouth University.




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