ISOLATION AND DETECTION OF PATHOGENIC PRIONS

摘要

Peptide reagents that interact preferentially with the PrP^sc form of the prion protein are described. In addition, methods of using these peptide reagents in combination with peptide probes, which aggregate in response to binding pathogenic prion proteins and that can be used for detection of pathogenic prion proteins, are disclosed. Methods of using the peptide reagents, antibodies to the reagents, prion motif-grafted hybrid polypeptides, and peptide probes for detection, diagnosis, purification, therapy and prophylaxis for prions and prion-associated diseases are also described.