biostudies-literaturePiro JRNIAID NIH HHSNINDS NIH HHSe1002001https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC3033378biostudies-literatureUnknown7(2)Single-stranded polyanions ≥40 bases in length facilitate the formation of hamster scrapie prions in vitro, and polyanions co-localize with PrP(Sc) aggregates in vivo. To test the hypothesis that intact polyanionic molecules might serve as a structural backbone essential for maintaining the infectious conformation(s) of PrP(Sc), we produced synthetic prions using a photocleavable, 100-base oligonucleotide (PC-oligo). In serial Protein Misfolding Cyclic Amplification (sPMCA) reactions using purified PrP(C) substrate, PC-oligo was incorporated into physical complexes with PrP(Sc) molecules that were resistant to benzonase digestion. Exposure of these nuclease-resistant prion complexes to long wave ultraviolet light (315 nm) induced degradation of PC-oligo into 5 base fragments. Light-inducedPLoS pathogensIn situ photodegradation of incorporated polyanion does not alter prion infectivity.PMC3033378R01 NS046478T32 AI007519R01 NS0558752R01 NS046478Harris BTSupattapone SPiro JRfalseIn situ photodegradation of incorporated polyanion does not alter prion infectivity.Single-stranded polyanions ≥40 bases in length facilitate the formation of hamster scrapie prions in vitro, and polyanions co-localize with PrP(Sc) aggregates in vivo. To test the hypothesis that intact polyanionic molecules might serve as a structural backbone essential for maintaining the infectious conformation(s) of PrP(Sc), we produced synthetic prions using a photocleavable, 100-base oligonucleotide (PC-oligo). In serial Protein Misfolding Cyclic Amplification (sPMCA) reactions using purified PrP(C) substrate, PC-oligo was incorporated into physical complexes with PrP(Sc) molecules that were resistant to benzonase digestion. Exposure of these nuclease-resistant prion complexes to long wave ultraviolet light (315 nm) induced degradation of PC-oligo into 5 base fragments. Light-induced2011-01-01T00:00:00Z2011 Feb2026-07-15T10:34:14.274Z2026-07-03T03:12:19.863ZS-EPMC30333782130488510.1371/journal.ppat.1002001