Role of lipid rafts in the processing of the pathogenic prion and Alzheimer's amyloid-β proteins

The conformational conversion of the cellular form of the prion protein (PrPC) into the infectious form (PrPSc) and the proteolytic processing of the amyloid-β (Aβ) peptide are central pathogenetic events in the prion diseases and Alzheimer's disease, respectively. Cholesterol- and sphingolipid-rich lipid rafts have emerged as important sites for the conversion of PrPC into PrPSc, and for the proteolytic production, degradation and aggregation of Aβ. Here, we discuss these findings and their implications for our understanding of these disease processes. In addition, the potential for rafts as sites for therapeutic intervention in prion diseases and Alzheimer's disease is considered.