Figure 1

Western blot analysis of cervid substrates and prion isolates for PrP content with monoclonal antibodies Sha31 and P4. A Both Sha31 and P4 effectively identified PrP^C in brain homogenates of all cervid species in the study. Three control samples were included: normal VRQ/VRQ sheep homogenate with and without proteinase K (PK) treatment and a VRQ/VRQ classical scrapie with prion banding pattern after PK treatment. B The same antibodies were used to visualize the original prion isolates included in the study. The P4 mAb did not detect the wild type moose and red deer isolates. The two contagious isolates, but also the sporadic moose Q₁₀₉/Q₁₀₉ isolate kept the P4 epitope. All samples were subjected to PK treatment. VRQ V₁₃₆R₁₅₄Q₁₇₁, Mo moose, C. scrapie classical scrapie, kDa molecular weight in kilodalton.