Doppel-induced cytotoxicity in human neuronal SH-SY5Y cells is antagonized by the prion protein

Doppel (Dpl) is a prion (PrP)-like protein due to the structural and biochemical similarities; however, the natural functions of Dpl and PrP remain unclear. In this study, a 531-bp human PRND gene sequence encoding Dpl protein was amplified from human peripheral blood leucocytes. Full-length and various truncated human Dpl and PrP proteins were expressed and purified from Escherichia coli. Supplement of the full-length Dpl onto human neuroblastoma cell SH-SY5Y induced remarkable cytotoxicity, and the region responsible for its cytotoxicity was mapped at the middle segment of Dpl [amino acids (aa) 81-122]. Interestingly, Dpl-induced cytotoxicity was antagonized by the presence of full-length wild-type PrP. Analysis on fragments of PrP mutants showed that the N-terminal fragment (aa 23-90) of PrP was responsible for the protective activity. A truncated PrP (PrPΔ32-121) with similar secondary structure as Dpl induced Dpl-like cytotoxicity on SH-SY5Y cells. Furthermore, binding of copper ion could enhance the antagonizing effect of PrP on Dpl-induced cytotoxicity. Apoptosis assays revealed that cytotoxicity induced by Dpl occurred through an apoptotic mechanism. These results suggested that the function of Dpl is antagonistic to PrP rather than synergistic.