UV-light-induced conversion and aggregation of prion proteins

Increasing evidence suggests a central role for oxidative stress in the pathology of prion diseases, a group of fatal neurodegenerative disorders associated with structural conversion of the prion protein (PrP). Because UV-light-induced protein damage is mediated by direct photo-oxidation and radical reactions, we investigated the structural consequences of UVB radiation on recombinant murine and human prion proteins at pH 7.4 and pH 5.0. As revealed by circular dichroism and dynamic light scattering measurements, the observed PrP aggregation follows two independent pathways: (i) complete unfolding of the protein structure associated with rapid precipitation or (ii) specific structural conversion into distinct soluble β-oligomers. The choice of pathway was directly attributed to the chromophoric properties of the PrP species and the susceptibility to oxidation. Regarding size, the oligomers characterized in this study share a high degree of identity with oligomeric species formed after structural destabilization induced by other triggers, which significantly strengthens the theory that partly unfolded intermediates represent initial precursor molecules directing the pathway of PrP aggregation. Moreover, we identified the first suitable photo-trigger capable of inducing refolding of PrP, which has an important biotechnological impact in terms of analyzing the conversion process on small time scales.