Investigation of the effects of experimental autolysis on the detection of abnormal prion protein in lymphoid and central nervous system tissues from elk and sheep using the Western blotting method.

The article describes a study which investigated the effects of experimental autolysis in detecting abnormal prion protein (PrPsc) in lymphoid and central nervous system (CNS) tissues of elk and sheep. Transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs) are neurogenerative diseases which are evident through the loss of CNS neurons and accumulation of abnormal prion protein. Using Western blotting method, the study results revealed that autolysis decreased gradually the PrPsc in elk and sheep but was still detectable even after 15 days of incubation.