Figure 3.
A proposed model for the role of the GPI anchor in the conversion of PrPC to PrPSc and progression to clinical disease (9). (A) When exposed to PrPSc, GPI-anchored PrPC is converted into aggregates of PrPSc. The aggregates may interfere with the normal signaling events involving PrPC, leading to neuron death. (B) Transgenic mice expressing PrPC lacking a GPI anchor still form PrPSc aggregates upon infection with exogenous PrPSc. However, these aggregates may be unable to disrupt signal transduction pathways due to the lack of a GPI anchor. Figure adapted from ref (57). Copyright 2005 AAAS.