Prnp may play a role in neuronal development and synaptic plasticity, may be required for neuronal myelin sheath maintenance and may play a role in iron uptake and iron homeostasis. Prnp is a 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. It also provides Cu2+ or ZN2+ for the ascorbate-mediated GPC1 deaminase degradation of its heparan sulfate side chains.