EXPRESSION OF PRP MESSENGER-RNA IS REGULATED BY A FRAGMENT OF MRP8 INHUMAN FIBROBLASTS

Prion protein (PrPc) is expressed in many tissues, both in human and a nimals. The scrapie isoform of PrPc has been shown to cause neurodegen eration, In other studies it has been demonstrated that overexpression of the PrP gene can result in nonneuronal tissue degradation, Little is known, however, about the normal function of PrPc and prion protein gene regulation. Using cultured periodontal ligament cells as an expe rimental model, we have demonstrated the stimulation of PrP mRNA expre ssion by MRP8 (migration inhibitory factor-related protein), Additiona lly, we have shown that PDGF has an opposite effect acting as a suppre sser. We propose that a correlation exists between PrPc mRNA expressio n and cell growth arrest and differentiation. (C) 1997 Academic Press.