Proteolytic cleavage is crucial for protein function and regulation, playing key roles in health and disease. Our research explores how proteolytic processing impacts the physiological and pathological roles of the prion protein (PrP), a highly expressed glycoprotein in the nervous and immune systems. While its pathological implications, particularly in neurodegenerative diseases, are well understood, its physiological functions remain elusive.

We investigate PrP cleavage by endogenous proteases, focusing on biological effects, diagnostic potential, and therapeutic applications. This talk will highlight our findings on PrP shedding by ADAM10, its role in prion and Alzheimer’s diseases, and its emerging significance in intercellular communication across diverse biological processes.