Role of the Chaperone Protein Hsp 104 in Propagation of the Yeast Prion- Like Factor [psi^+]
Abstract
The yeast non-Mendelian factor [psi^+] has been suggested to be a self-modified protein analogous to mammalian prions. Here it is reported that an intermediate amount of the chaperone protein Hsp104 was required for the propagation of the [psi^+] factor. Overproduction or inactivation of Hsp104 caused the loss of [psi^+]. These results suggest that chaperone proteins play a role in prion-like phenomena, and that a certain level of chaperone expression can cure cells of prions without affecting viability. This may lead to antiprion treatments that involve the alteration of chaperone amounts or activity.
- Publication:
-
Science
- Pub Date:
- May 1995
- DOI:
- 10.1126/science.7754373
- Bibcode:
- 1995Sci...268..880C