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Cellular prion protein function in copper homeostasis and redox signalling at the synapse
Author(s) -
Vassallo Neville,
Herms Jochen
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
journal of neurochemistry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.75
H-Index - 229
eISSN - 1471-4159
pISSN - 0022-3042
DOI - 10.1046/j.1471-4159.2003.01882.x
Subject(s) - homeostasis , neuroscience , neurotransmission , microbiology and biotechnology , neuroprotection , intracellular , synapse , function (biology) , biology , calcium , prion protein , chemistry , biochemistry , receptor , disease , medicine , organic chemistry
The fundamental physiological function of native cellular prion (PrP C ) remains unknown. Herein, the most salient observations as regards prion physiology are critically evaluated. These include: (i) the role of PrP C in copper homeostasis, particularly at the pre‐synaptic membrane; (ii) involvement of PrP C in neuronal calcium disturbances; and (iii) the neuroprotective properties of PrP C in response to copper and oxidative stress. Ultimately, a tentative hypothesis of basic prion function is derived, namely that PrP C acts as a sensor for copper and/or free radical stimuli, thereby triggering intracellular calcium signals that finally translate into modulation of synaptic transmission and maintenance of neuronal integrity.