Role of the Chaperone Protein Hsp104 in Propagation of the Yeast Prion-Like Factor [psi+]

YO Chernoff, SL Lindquist, B Ono, SG Inge-Vechtomov… - Science, 1995 - science.org
YO Chernoff, SL Lindquist, B Ono, SG Inge-Vechtomov, SW Liebman
Science, 1995science.org
The yeast non-Mendelian factor [psi+] has been suggested to be a self-modified protein
analogous to mammalian prions. Here it is reported that an intermediate amount of the
chaperone protein Hsp104 was required for the propagation of the [psi+] factor.
Overproduction or inactivation of Hsp104 caused the loss of [psi+]. These results suggest
that chaperone proteins play a role in prion-like phenomena, and that a certain level of
chaperone expression can cure cells of prions without affecting viability. This may lead to …
The yeast non-Mendelian factor [psi+] has been suggested to be a self-modified protein analogous to mammalian prions. Here it is reported that an intermediate amount of the chaperone protein Hsp104 was required for the propagation of the [psi+] factor. Overproduction or inactivation of Hsp104 caused the loss of [psi+]. These results suggest that chaperone proteins play a role in prion-like phenomena, and that a certain level of chaperone expression can cure cells of prions without affecting viability. This may lead to antiprion treatments that involve the alteration of chaperone amounts or activity.
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