Swiss-Prot Acc.P04156.Its primary physiological function is unclear. May play a role in neuronal development and synaptic plasticity. May be required for neuronal myelin sheath maintenance. May promote myelin homeostasis through acting as an agonist for ADGRG6 receptor. May play a role in iron uptake and iron homeostasis. Soluble oligomers are toxic to cultured neuroblastoma cells and induce apoptosis (in vitro) . Association with GPC1 (via its heparan sulfate chains) targets PRNP to lipid rafts. Also provides Cu2+ or ZN2+ for the ascorbate-mediated GPC1 deaminase degradation of its heparan sulfate side chains .