PRION PROTEIN EXPRESSION IN DIFFERENT SPECIES - ANALYSIS WITH A PANELOF NEW MABS

By immunizing prion knockout mice (Prnp-/-) with recombinant murine pr ion protein (PrPc), we obtained a panel of mAbs specific for murine Pr Pc. These mAbs can be applied to immunoblotting, cell surface immunofl uorescent staining, and immunohistochemistry at light and electron mic roscopy. These mAbs recognize both the normal (PrPc) and protease-resi stant (PrPres) isoforms of PrP. Some mAbs are species restricted, whil e others react with PrP from a broad range of mammals including mice, humans, monkeys, cows, sheep, squirrels, and hamsters. Moreover, some of the mAbs selectively recognize different PrP glyco-forms as well as the metabolic fragments of PrPc. These newly generated PrPc antibodie s will help to explore the biology of PrPc and to establish the diagno sis of prion diseases in both humans and animals.