Journal
STRUCTURE
Volume 21, Issue 2, Pages 236-246Publisher
CELL PRESS
DOI: 10.1016/j.str.2012.12.002
Keywords
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Funding
- National Institutes of Health [GM065790, GM68933]
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The cellular prion protein PrPC consists of two domains-a flexible N-terminal domain, which participates in copper and zinc regulation, and a largely helical C-terminal domain that converts to beta sheet in the course of prion disease. These two domains are thought to be fully independent and noninteracting. Compelling cellular and biophysical studies, however, suggest a higher order structure that is relevant to both PrPC function and misfolding in disease. Here, we identify a Zn2+-driven N-terminal to C-terminal tertiary interaction in PrPC. The C-terminal surface participating in this interaction carries the majority of the point mutations that confer familial prion disease. Investigation of mutant PrPs finds a systematic relationship between the type of mutation and the apparent strength of this domain structure. The structural features identified here suggest mechanisms by which physiologic metal ions trigger PrPC trafficking and control prion disease.
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