Sharkey, Keith AlexanderJirik, Frank RobertAlvarez Veronesi, Ana Laura2013-05-012013-06-102013-05-012013Alvarez Veronesi, A. L. (2013). Prion protein distribution and function in the Enteric Nervous System of the Gastrointestinal Tract of Mice (Master's thesis, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada). Retrieved from https://prism.ucalgary.ca. doi:10.11575/PRISM/27434http://hdl.handle.net/11023/679The prion protein (PrPC) is a membrane bound copper binding protein widely expressed throughout the body. Although the pathophysiological role of PrPC in prion diseases has been well established, its physiological function remains poorly understood. This study was designed to characterize the distribution of PrPC in the gastrointestinal tract, more specifically the enteric nervous system (ENS), and to establish a functional role of PrPC in the gut. We have shown that PrPC is expressed in the ENS of mice, both in neurons and enteric glial cells. In addition, Ussing chambers studies showed that PrPC is involved in neuronal and epithelial control of electrolyte transport; PrPC-deficient mice had decreased responses to electric field stimulation, bethanechol, and forskolin, compared to controls. However, this was not due to PrPC’s ability to bind copper. These studies show that PrPC is widely distributed in the ENS and has a physiological role in gastrointestinal function.engUniversity of Calgary graduate students retain copyright ownership and moral rights for their thesis. You may use this material in any way that is permitted by the Copyright Act or through licensing that has been assigned to the document. For uses that are not allowable under copyright legislation or licensing, you are required to seek permission.Animal PhysiologyEnteric nervous systemPrionUssing chamberIon transportSecretionmaster thesis10.11575/PRISM/27434