Abstract
Prions are infectious pathogens that cause fatal neurodegeneration in humans and animals and are composed largely, or entirely, of an aberrant isoform of the host-encoded prion protein (PrP). A post-translational process involving a conformational change in PrP is a significant feature of their replication. Differences in PrP sequences modify the incubation times, neuropathology and properties of prion 'strains'.
Publication types
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
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Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
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Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
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Review
MeSH terms
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Animals
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PrPC Proteins / genetics
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PrPC Proteins / metabolism
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PrPSc Proteins / genetics
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PrPSc Proteins / metabolism
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Prion Diseases* / diagnosis
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Prion Diseases* / epidemiology
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Prion Diseases* / prevention & control
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Prions* / classification
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Prions* / genetics
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Prions* / pathogenicity
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Scrapie / genetics
Substances
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PrPC Proteins
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PrPSc Proteins
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Prions