Prion

Definition

Prions are infectious proteins that cause abnormal folding of specific normal cellular proteins called prion proteins, primarily found in the brain. These misfolded proteins can lead to brain damage and are responsible for a variety of neurodegenerative diseases.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Prions do not contain nucleic acids; they are purely protein-based pathogens.
2. They can induce other normal proteins to misfold and aggregate, leading to disease.
3. Diseases caused by prions include Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD), Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE), and Kuru.
4. Prion diseases have long incubation periods but progress rapidly once symptoms appear.
5. There is currently no cure or effective treatment for prion diseases.

Review Questions

• What is the primary difference between prions and other infectious agents like bacteria and viruses?
• Name three diseases caused by prions.
• Why are prion diseases particularly concerning in terms of treatment and diagnosis?

Related terms

Viroid:

Small, circular RNA molecules that infect plants and cause various plant diseases.

Virusoid:

Subviral particles that require a helper virus for replication, typically associated with plant viruses.

Amyloid Plaques: Aggregates of misfolded protein that form in the brains of patients with Alzheimer's disease, similar to how prions aggregate.