RNA Studies and the Creutzfeldt-Jacob Disease Agent

Manuelidis, Laura

Abstract

The ultimate aim of this project is to define CJD agent specific (non-host) molecules, i.e. proteins and nucleic acids. It is obvious that definition of these elements will be invaluable for the ultimate understanding of these agents and the dementias they induce. The identification of truly agent specific molecules will also permit reliable diagnostic tests for human dementias. The project is split into two parts. The first deals with a definitive evaluation of the size and density of the infectious agent and will be useful for further systematic purification of agent, and detection of agent protein(s). The second part concentrates on detection, amplification and sequencing of specific RNAs (cDNA clones) that may belong to the infectious agent.

Funding Agency

• Agency: National Institute of Health (NIH)
• Institute: National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
• Type: Research Program Projects (P01)
• Project #: 5P01NS034569-12
• Application #: 5215544
• Support Year: 12
• Fiscal Year: 1996

Publications

Gomez-Varela, David; Berg, Darwin K (2013) Lateral mobility of presynaptic ?7-containing nicotinic receptors and its relevance for glutamate release. J Neurosci 33:17062-71

Wang, Xulong; Lippi, Giordano; Carlson, David M et al. (2013) Activation of ?7-containing nicotinic receptors on astrocytes triggers AMPA receptor recruitment to glutamatergic synapses. J Neurochem 127:632-43

Lozada, Adrian F; Wang, Xulong; Gounko, Natalia V et al. (2012) Glutamatergic synapse formation is promoted by ?7-containing nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. J Neurosci 32:7651-61

Lozada, Adrian F; Wang, Xulong; Gounko, Natalia V et al. (2012) Induction of dendritic spines by ?2-containing nicotinic receptors. J Neurosci 32:8391-400

Gómez-Varela, David; Schmidt, Manuela; Schoellerman, Jeff et al. (2012) PMCA2 via PSD-95 controls calcium signaling by ?7-containing nicotinic acetylcholine receptors on aspiny interneurons. J Neurosci 32:6894-905

Arjona, Alvaro; Simarro, Laura; Islinger, Florian et al. (2004) Two Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease agents reproduce prion protein-independent identities in cell cultures. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 101:8768-73

Baker, Christopher A; Lu, Zhi Yun; Manuelidis, Laura (2004) Early induction of interferon-responsive mRNAs in Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease. J Neurovirol 10:29-40

Baker, Christopher A; Manuelidis, Laura (2003) Unique inflammatory RNA profiles of microglia in Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 100:675-9

Manuelidis, Laura; Lu, Zhi Yun (2003) Virus-like interference in the latency and prevention of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 100:5360-5

Manuelidis, Laura (2003) Transmissible encephalopathies: speculations and realities. Viral Immunol 16:123-39