Decipher the mechanisms of rabbits low susceptibility to prion infection

作者：Yuan Zhen; Zhao Deming; Yang Lifeng^*

来源：Acta Biochimica et Biophysica Sinica, 2013, 45(11): 899-903.

DOI：10.1093/abbs/gmt093

• prion diseases
• rabbit
• susceptibility
• resistance
• prion protein

Rabbits have low susceptibility to prion infection. Studies on prion protein (PrP) from animal species of different susceptibility to prion diseases identified key amino acid residues, specific motif, and special features in rabbit prion protein (RaPrPC) that contribute to the stability of rabbit PrPC and low susceptibility to prion infection. However, there is no evidence showing that rabbits are completely resistant to prion diseases. It has been reported that the rabbit prion could be generated in vitro through protein misfolding cyclic amplification and proved to be infectious and transmissible. Here, we reviewed studies on rabbit-specific PrP structures and features in relation to rabbits low susceptibility to prion infection.

• 出版日期2013-11
• 单位中国农业大学