Method for detecting PrP using at least one positive charge and/or at least one glycosidic bond and a ligand other than a protein ligand

Abstract

A method for detecting PrP in a biological human or animal sample that may contain said PrP. The method is characterized in that it uses a molecule containing at least one positive charge and/or at least one glycosidic bond and a ligand other than a protein ligand selected from macrocyclic ligands and glycosaminoglycans.

1 . A method for detecting PrP in a biological sample of human or animal origin that may contain said PrP, comprising:
 a) contacting the biological sample with a molecule having at least two guanidinium and/or ammonium functions to form PrP aggregates in a reaction mixture; and   b) detecting the presence of PrP.   
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the molecule having at least two guanidinium and/or ammonium functions is selected from the group consisting of polyallylamine, triethylenetetraamine (TET), bis-3-aminopropylamine, spermine tetrahydrochloride, dihydrostreptomycin sesquisulfate, streptomycin, and salts of streptomycin. 
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising adding proteinase K to the sample. 
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 adding proteinase K to the sample to digest PrP c  before (a); and   detecting the presence of PrP, thereby detecting the presence of PrP res .   
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising between (a) and (b):
 separating the PrP aggregates from the reaction mixture, and   denaturing the PrP aggregates.   
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein detecting the presence of PrP comprises contacting the PrP with a PrP-specific binding partner for an immunoreaction between the PrP-specific binding partner and the PrP. 
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the molecule of (a) is streptomycin. 
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the molecule of (a) is a salt of streptomycin.