Pathogenic prion protein is degraded by a manganese oxide mineral found in soils
Journal of General Virology
By: F. Russo, C.J. Johnson, D. McKenzie, Judd M. Aiken, and J.A. Pedersen
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Abstract
Prions, the aetiological agents of transmissible spongiform encephalopathies, exhibit extreme resistance to degradation. Soil can retain prion infectivity in the environment for years. Reactive soil components may, however, contribute to the inactivation of prions in soil. Members of the birnessite family of manganese oxides (MnO2) rank among the strongest natural oxidants in soils. Here, we report the abiotic degradation of pathogenic prion protein (PrPTSE) by a synthetic analogue of naturally occurring birnessite minerals. Aqueous MnO2 suspensions degraded the PrPTSE as evidenced by decreased immunoreactivity and diminished ability to seed protein misfolding cyclic amplification reactions. Birnessite-mediated PrPTSE degradation increased as a solution's pH decreased, consistent with the pH-dependence of the redox potential of MnO2. Exposure to 5.6 mg MnO2 ml-1 (PrPTSE:MnO2=1 : 110) decreased PrPTSE levels by ???4 orders of magnitude. Manganese oxides may contribute to prion degradation in soil environments rich in these minerals. ?? 2009 SGM.
| Publication type | Article |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | Journal Article |
| Title | Pathogenic prion protein is degraded by a manganese oxide mineral found in soils |
| Series title | Journal of General Virology |
| DOI | 10.1099/vir.0.003251-0 |
| Volume | 90 |
| Issue | 1 |
| Year Published | 2009 |
| Language | English |
| Larger Work Type | Article |
| Larger Work Subtype | Journal Article |
| Larger Work Title | Journal of General Virology |
| First page | 275 |
| Last page | 280 |
| Google Analytic Metrics | Metrics page |