SOLUBLE HYBRID PRION PROTEINS AND THEIR USE IN THE DIAGNOSIS, PREVENTION AND TREATMENT OF TRANSMISSIBLE SPONGIFORM ENCEPHALOPATHIES

摘要

The present invention relates to a soluble hybrid protein, comprising at least a first polypeptide sequence derived from a prion protein PrP<c> that is capable of binding a protein responsible for transmissible spongiform encephalitis (PrP<sc>), and a second polypeptide sequence (tag), wherein said hybrid protein does not comprise a functional membrane anchor moiety. Also, the present invention is directed to the use of said hybrid proteins for the diagnosis of transmissible spongiform encephalopathies. In addition, the present invention relates to the use of said hybrid protein, a nucleic acid encoding said hybrid protein, a vector, and/or a host cell comprising a nucleic acid encoding said hybrid protein for the preparation of a medicament for the prevention or treatment of transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs). Furthermore, the present invention is directed to a process for producing said hybrid proteins and it also relates to transgenic animals stably expressing said hybrid protein, the bone marrow of said transgenic animals and the use of said bone marrow for the treatment of transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs).