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RT-QuIC as ultrasensitive method for prion detection

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Abstract

Real-time quaking-induced conversion (RT-QuIC) is a cell-free abnormal form of prion protein (PrPSc) amplification method using recombinant prion protein from Escherichia coli that can measure prion seeding activity in samples with high sensitivity. The advantages of this method are that it is much more sensitive than Western blotting, which is usually used to detect PrPSc, and that prion seeding activity can be easily quantified by combining it with endpoint dilution of the sample, and that it can be amplified in most species and prion strains. A decade has passed since the development of RT-QuIC, and many studies have been reported that take advantage of its characteristics. In particular, its usefulness in the diagnosis of sporadic CJD has been clarified, and it is recommended to be one of the diagnostic criteria. Future challenges include the establishment of a method to differentiate prion strains and application of RT-QuIC to early diagnosis of prion diseases and determination of treatment efficacy.

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  1. Division of Microbiology, Department of Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Medicine, University of Miyazaki, Miyazaki, Japan

    Ryuichiro Atarashi

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Correspondence to Ryuichiro Atarashi.

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The protocol for investigation was approved by the Ethics Committee of Nagasaki University Hospital (ID: 10042823) and the Ethics Committee of University of Miyazaki Hospital (ID: 0–0396), and the study was registered with the University Hospital Medical Information Network (ID: UMIN000003301) and (ID: UMIN000038398). The protocol was also granted ethical approval for the use of brain tissue by the Japan Surveillance Unit for human prion diseases. Informed consent was obtained from patient families and/or patients.

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Atarashi, R. RT-QuIC as ultrasensitive method for prion detection. Cell Tissue Res 392, 295–300 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00441-021-03568-8

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