Prion infected rhesus monkeys to study differential transcription of Alu DNA elements and editing of Alu transcripts in neuronal cells and blood cells.

Background Rhesus monkeys were used as a non-human primate model to study small non-coding RNA after infection with human sporadic and variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob prions. Methods Tissue-specific Alu DNA element transcription and editing of transcripts were assessed in neuronal - and blood cells (Buffy Coat). Results Tissue/cell-specific transcription and editing patterns were obtained. Active Alu DNA elements belonged to several Alu DNA families, they could be located on several chromosomes, and their genomic sites were identified. Deamination by adenosine deaminase acting on RNA and apolipoprotein B editing complex was found. Conclusions Different Alu transcription and editing programmes exist and may depend on the infection status. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]