Analysis of the molecular basis of the conversion and aggregation of prion proteins induced by oxidative stress [Elektronische Ressource] / vorgelegt von Mohammed Ismail Youssef Elmallah

Analysis of the Molecular Basis of the Conversion and Aggregation of Prion Proteins induced by Oxidative Stress Dissertation Zur Erlangung des Doktorgrades der Naturwissenschaften am Department für Chemie der Universität Hamburg vorgelegt von Mohammed Ismail Youssef Elmallah aus Ägypten Hamburg 2010 Gutachter: Prof. Dr. Dr. Christian Betzel Prof. Dr. Bernd Meyer To My Family Table of Contents Table of Contents Titel Page List of Figures 7 List of Tables 11 List of Abbreviations 12 Acknowledgements 16 Abstract 17 Zusammenfassung 19 1. Introduction 21 1.1 Protein misfolding and disease 21 1.2 Prion diseases 25 1.3 Structure and function of cellular prion protein (PrP) 29 1.4 Mechanism of prion replication 32 1.5 Polymorphism of the PRNP gene 34 1.6 Oxidation of prion protein 36 1.7 Therapeutic approaches against TSEs 39 1.8 Aim of this work 41 2. Materials and Methods 43 2.1 Materials 43 2.1.1 Chemicals 43 2.1.2 Enzymes and Kits 43 2.1.3 Instruments 44 2.1.4 Oligonucleotides 45 2.1.5 Plasmid 46 2.1.6 Constructs 46 2.1.7 Escherichia coli strains 47 2.1.8 DNA and Protein Markers 47 2.1.9 Media 48 2.1.10. Buffers and solutions 48 2.2 Methods 50 2.2.1 Generation of electrocompetent E. coli cells 50 2.2.2 Transformation of E. coli cells by electroporation 50 Table of Contents 2.2.