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Journal of General Virology header logo Journal of General Virology

Volume 90, Issue 11

Prion adsorption to stainless steel is promoted by nickel and molybdenum No Access

Abstract

Prions are infectious agents resulting from the conversion of a normal cellular protein, PrP, to a misfolded species, PrP. Iatrogenic transmission of prions is known from surgical procedures involving stainless steel materials. Here, it was shown that stainless steel containing nickel and molybdenum binds PrP more efficiently and transmits infection to cells in culture to a higher degree than if these elements are not present. Furthermore, both nickel and molybdenum alone adsorbed PrP, and nickel powder could be used to extract PrP from dilute solutions, thus providing a simple approach to concentration of PrP. The fact that nickel and molybdenum in steel alloys increased the binding affinity, and bound infectivity, of PrP is an important issue to consider in the manufacture of surgical instruments and abattoir tools.

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/content/journal/jgv/10.1099/vir.0.012302-0
2009-11-01
2026-02-18

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/content/journal/jgv/10.1099/vir.0.012302-0
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Prion adsorption to stainless steel is promoted by nickel and molybdenum
J. Gen. Virol. 90, 2821 (2009); https://doi.org/10.1099/vir.0.012302-0
/content/journal/jgv/10.1099/vir.0.012302-0
/content/journal/jgv/10.1099/vir.0.012302-0
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