Canine D163-PrP polymorphic variant does not provide complete protection against prion infection in small ruminant PrP context

E/D-163 polymorphism of dog prion protein (PrP) has been recently proposed as the variant responsible for canid prion resistance. To further investigate the protective role of this variant against prion replication, the transgenic mouse model OvPrP-Tg532 expressing sheep/goat PrP carrying the substitution D-162 (equivalent to D-163 position of dog PrP) was generated and intracranially inoculated with a broad collection of small ruminant prion strains. OvPrP-Tg532 mice showed resistance to classical bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) from sheep and some classical scrapie isolates from sheep and goat but were susceptible to ovine atypical L-BSE and numerous classical scrapie isolates. Strikingly, some of these classical scrapie isolates showed a shift in their prion strain properties. These results suggest that other PrP residues apart from E/D-163 variant of dog PrP or factors distinct than PrP may participate in prion resistance of canids and that different factors may be required for D-162 sheep PrP to provide effective protection to sheep against ruminant prions.

Automated summary

The protective role of the E/D-163 polymorphism of dog prion protein against prion replication may not be the sole factor for canid prion resistance, as other PrP residues or factors distinct than PrP may participate in this process. Different factors may be required for D-162 sheep PrP to effectively protect sheep against ruminant prions, as observed through inoculation of various prion strains in a transgenic mouse model expressing different PrP variants.