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Cyclic Amplification of Protein Misfolding and Aggregation

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Amyloid Proteins

Part of the book series: Methods in Molecular Biology™ ((MIMB,volume 299))

Abstract

Diverse human disorders, including most neurodegenerative diseases, are thought to arise from the misfolding and aggregation of an underlying protein. We have recently described a novel technology to amplify cyclically the misfolding and aggregation process in vitro. This procedure, named protein misfolding cyclic amplification (PMCA), conceptually analogous to DNA amplification by PCR, has tremendous implications for research and diagnosis. The PMCA concept has been proved on the amplification of prions implicated in the pathogenesis of transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSE). In these diseases, there is a tremendous need for early and sensitive biochemical diagnosis to minimize the further spreading of the prion infectious agent through the food chain. In this chapter, we describe the principles behind the PMCA technology, its application, and methodology to detect minute quantities of misfolded prion protein and its potential to be used for amplification of misfolding of other proteins implicated in diverse diseases.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Neurology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX

    Paula Saá, Joaquín Castilla & Claudio Soto

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  1. Paula Saá
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  2. Joaquín Castilla
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  3. Claudio Soto
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Departments of Psychiatry and Pathology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY

    Einar M. Sigurdsson

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© 2005 Humana Press Inc.

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Saá, P., Castilla, J., Soto, C. (2005). Cyclic Amplification of Protein Misfolding and Aggregation. In: Sigurdsson, E.M. (eds) Amyloid Proteins. Methods in Molecular Biology™, vol 299. Humana Press. https://doi.org/10.1385/1-59259-874-9:053

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1385/1-59259-874-9:053

  • Publisher Name: Humana Press

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-58829-337-4

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-59259-874-8

  • eBook Packages: Springer Protocols

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