Antisera to seven synthetic peptides containing the substitutions between mouse and hamster prion proteins (PrPs) were produced in rabbits. Two antisera (Ab.Mo-I, and Ab.Mo-V) recognized mouse PrPSc but not hamster PrPSc. In contrast, Ab.Ha-I recognized hamster PrPSc but not mouse PrPSc. The results indicate that these regions of PrPSc constitute species-specific epitopes. We identified mouse subregion-V as a species-specific epitope. Furthermore, the antibody-binding ability of the specific epitopes which are located close to the C-terminal end of PrP27-30, the proteinase-resistant portion of PrPSc, was enhanced by pretreatment in a hydrated autoclave. This pretreatment increased the sensitivity of PrPSc, and it would be useful for diagnosis of scrapie.
(Lab. of Viral Ecology, Department of Virology)
