Prion protein library of recombinant constructs for structural biology.

A survey of plasmids for 51 prion protein constructs from bank vole, cat, cattle, chicken, dog, elk, ferret, frog, fugu, horse, human, pig, sheep, turtle, and wallaby, and for 113 mouse prion protein constructs and variants thereof, is presented. This includes information on the biochemistry of the recombinant proteins, in particular on successful and unsuccessful expression attempts. The plasmid library was generated during the past 12 years in the context of NMR structure determination and biophysical characterization of prion proteins in our laboratory. The plasmids are now available for general use, and are distributed free of charge to not-for-profit institutions.