Prion-like protein Doppel expression is not modified in scrapie-infected cells and in the brains of patients with Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease

Doppel protein has been discovered in prnp knock-out mouse lines, with overproduction of this protein in the brain causing ataxia and neurodegeneration. We investigated whether Doppel expression (i) affected or was affected by the course of prion propagation in neuroblastoma cells, or (ii) modulated Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease pathogenesis. No change in Doppel production was detected in N2a cells, before or after infection. Transient murine Doppel gene expression had no effect on N2a viability or PrP(Sc) production. A sensitive immunometric assay revealed low levels of Doppel in human brain, reflecting weak transcription of the corresponding gene. No difference in brain Doppel levels was observed between Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease patients and controls, adding further evidence that Doppel is unlikely to be involved in prion disease pathogenesis.