Enrichment and purification of infectious prion proteins

Abstract

Peptide sequences that specifically bind infectious prion protein for the generation of antibodies and therapeutic agents are disclosed herein.

1 . A method for the capture isolation and detection of prions in animal and environmental sources by contacting the samples with the prion specific peptides of SEQ ID nos 1-4 and measuring the level of capture of infectious prions with the specific peptides of SEQ ID nos 1-4. 
     
     
         2 . A composition comprising one or more prion specific peptides of SEQ ID nos 1-4 and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or reagent. 
     
     
         3 . A method for assaying development of drugs or reagents that modulate identified protein and peptide targets for the detection and treatment of prion diseases comprising generation of specific antibodies to the peptides of SEQ ID nos 1-4; use of the generated antibodies alone or with the prion peptide complex to screen reagents which disrupt the physiological interaction of prions or PrP C  with associated proteins. 
     
     
         4 . A method for the enrichment of prions in biological samples by isolation with detergent resistant membranes to enhance prion detection sensitivity by diagnostic assays. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the biological sample is digested with proteinase-K after isolation with detergent resistant membranes. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 4  wherein the biological sample is dialyzed with a 300 kDa or greater molecular weight cutoff membrane to remove infectious prions or aggregate proteins. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6  wherein dialysis with the molecular weight cutoff membrane separates full-length infectious PrP Sc  and PrP Sc  aggregates from normal native PrP C  prion from biological samples for enhanced detection and disease diagnosis. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 6  wherein dialysis with the molecular weight cutoff membrane concentrates and separates aggregate forms of disease associated proteins from non-aggregate normal counterparts for enhanced detection and disease diagnosis. 
     
     
         9 . A monoclonal antibody produced by the continuous hybridoma cell line of DRMI-31. 
     
     
         10 . A composition comprising the monoclonal antibody of  claim 9 . 
     
     
         11 . A monoclonal antibody produced by the continuous hybridoma cell line of DRM1-60. 
     
     
         12 . A composition comprising the monoclonal antibody of  claim 11 . 
     
     
         13 . A monoclonal antibody produced by the continuous hybridoma cell line of DRM2-118. 
     
     
         14 . A composition comprising the monoclonal antibody of  claim 13 .