The Role of the AGAAAAGA Palindrome in Prion Disease
2008 Seed Grant
James A. Mastrianni, M.D., Ph.D.
University of Chicago
There is a great urgency to better understand the manner in which prions (PrPSc) generate and
propagate, as BSE (mad cow disease) is currently a major health threat abroad and the rapid
spread of CWD throughout the U.S. is a major concern here at home. The BSe outbreak has
led to the development of a TSE Advisory group to the FDA, to ensure the safety of the U.S.
blood supply. In addition, the spread of CWD HAS Led to the mandatory culling of deer and elk
in several states. Thus, understanding the mechanism and determinants of the transmissible
capacity of prion disease is of great importance. Inherent within our studies is the potential to
find treatment strategies for prion disease. Our spontaneous disease mouse models will provide
insight into the genetic prion disease determinants and will eventually prove useful for the
testing of potential treatments for prion disease.
