Abstract / Description of output
The prion protein PrP has a key role in transmissible spongiform encephalopathies but its biological function remains largely unknown. Recently, a related protein, Shadoo, was discovered. Its biological properties and brain distribution partially overlap that of PrP. We report that the Shadoo-encoding gene knockdown in PrP-knockout mouse embryos results in a lethal phenotype, occurring between E8 and E11, not observed on the wild-type genetic background. It reveals that these two proteins play a shared, crucial role in mammalian embryogenesis, explaining the lack of severe phenotype in PrP-knockout mammals, an appreciable step towards deciphering the biological role of this protein family.
Original language | English |
---|---|
Pages (from-to) | 3296-300 |
Number of pages | 5 |
Journal | FEBS Letters |
Volume | 583 |
Issue number | 19 |
Early online date | 18 Sept 2009 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | E-pub ahead of print - 18 Sept 2009 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords / Materials (for Non-textual outputs)
- Animals
- Down-Regulation
- Embryonic Development
- Gene Knockdown Techniques
- Genes, Lethal
- Lentivirus
- Mice
- Mice, Knockout
- Nerve Tissue Proteins
- Prions