Seeking for binding determinants of the prion protein to human plasminogen

Plasminogen (Pg), a pro-protease implicated in neuronal excitotoxicity, has recently been identified as binding to prion protein (PrP) from several species. Although the precise effect of the binding of PrP to plasminogen in the course of prion-caused diseases has not yet been demonstrated, the implications of this important finding for diagnostic applications are straightforward.