Biological materials and methods useful in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases

摘要

The present invention relates to a method of making a beta-form of a prion protein which preferably has more beta-sheet than alpha-helix structure and is soluble in the absence of a denaturant and/or is non-aggregated and exhibits partial resistance to digestion with proteinase K. The invention also relates to use of the beta-form in medicine, especially for raising antibodies useful in the treatment and/or diagnosis of prion diseases. The invention also relates to methods of screening for compounds which are capable of inhibiting and/or reversing the conversion of the native alpha-form of a prion protein to a beta-form, and to uses of identified compounds in medicine.