Expression of normal cellular prion protein (PrP c) on T lymphocytes and the effect of copper ion: analysis by wild-type and prion protein gene-deficient mice

Abstract

The purpose of this report was to determine the effect of prion protein (PrP) gene disruption on T lymphocyte function. Previous studies have suggested that normal cellular prion protein (PrP c) binds to copper and Cu 2+ is essential for interleukin-2 (IL-2) mRNA synthesis. In this study, IL-2 mRNA levels in a copper-deficient condition were investigated using T lymphocytes from prion protein gene-deficient (PrP 0/0) and wild-type mice. Results showed that Cu 2+ deficiency had no effect on PrP c expression in Con A-activated splenocytes. However, a delay in IL-2 gene expression was observed in PrP 0/0 mouse T lymphocyte cultures using Con A and Cu 2+–chelator. These results suggest that PrP c expression may play an important role in rapid Cu 2+ transfer in T lymphocytes. The rapid transfer of Cu 2+ in murine T lymphocytes could be one of the normal functions of PrP c.