Figure 6.

PrP 82–146 toxicity is partially dependent on PrPC expression. Murine cortical cells from either control or Prnp0/0 mice were treated with PrP 82–146 peptides (25 μm), and cell viability was determined after 7 d by MTT assay. All of the peptides reduced cell viability of PrP-expressing neurons (Prnp+/+) by ∼60%. PrP knock-out (Prnp0/0) neurons were significantly less vulnerable than PrP-expressing cells, showing 35–40% cell death at the end of the treatment. Data are the mean ± SEM of 12–20 replicates from three to four independent experiments. *p < 0.01 by Dunnett's test.