Comparative prion disease gene expression profiling using the prion disease mimetic, cuprizone.

ABSTRACT: Identification of genes expressed in response to prion infection may elucidate biomarkers for disease, identify factors involved in agent replication, mechanisms of neuropathology and therapeutic targets. Although several groups have sought to identify gene expression changes specific to prion disease, expression profiles rife with cell population changes have consistently been identified. Cuprizone, a neurotoxicant, qualitatively mimics the cell population changes observed in prion disease, resulting in both spongiform change and astrocytosis. The use of cuprizone-treated animals as an experimental control during comparative expression profiling allows for the identification of transcripts whose expression increases during prion disease and remains unchanged during cuprizone-triggered neu

SUBMITTER: Moody LR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2712607 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Apr-Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature