Interaction of PrP with NRAGE, a protein involved in neuronal apoptosis

Mol Cell Neurosci. 2005 Jun;29(2):232-44. doi: 10.1016/j.mcn.2005.02.013.

Abstract

Prion diseases involve the conversion of the endogenous prion protein, PrP(C), into a disease-associated form PrP(Sc). Reports show that a subset of PrP(C) is subject to degradation in the cytosol by the ubiquitin-proteasome system. Some studies show that cytosolic PrP(C) is neuroprotective, while others show that it is neurotoxic. Here, we report that cytosolic PrP(C) constructs interact with a pro-apoptotic protein, NRAGE (neurotrophin receptor interacting MAGE homolog). This novel interaction was identified in a yeast two-hybrid screen using PrP(C) as bait and confirmed by an in vitro binding assay and co-immunoprecipitations. Endogenous NRAGE accumulated in perinuclear aggregates following proteasome inhibition, and recombinant NRAGE and PrP(C)-EGFP co-localized in aggresomes after proteasome inhibition. Finally, co-expression of NRAGE and cytosolic PrP(C) affected mitochondrial membrane potential in neuroblastoma cells. Our results suggest that interaction of cytosolic PrP and NRAGE could affect neuronal viability.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Apoptosis / physiology*
  • Brain / metabolism*
  • Brain / physiopathology
  • COS Cells
  • Cell Survival / physiology
  • Chlorocebus aethiops
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Female
  • Inclusion Bodies / metabolism
  • Inclusion Bodies / pathology
  • Macromolecular Substances / metabolism
  • Membrane Potentials / physiology
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Mitochondria / metabolism
  • Neoplasm Proteins / metabolism*
  • Nerve Degeneration / metabolism*
  • Nerve Degeneration / physiopathology
  • PC12 Cells
  • PrPC Proteins / metabolism*
  • Prion Diseases / metabolism*
  • Prion Diseases / physiopathology
  • Proteasome Endopeptidase Complex / metabolism
  • Proteasome Inhibitors
  • Rats

Substances

  • Macromolecular Substances
  • Maged1 protein, mouse
  • Neoplasm Proteins
  • PrPC Proteins
  • Proteasome Inhibitors
  • Proteasome Endopeptidase Complex