Work

Generation of prions in vitro and the protein-only hypothesis

Year: 2010

Type: article

Abstract: Prions are self-propagating proteinaceous infectious agents capable of transmitting disease in the absence of nucleic acids. The nature of the infectious agent in prion diseases has been at the center of passionate debate for the past 30 years. However, recent reports on the in vitro generation of prions have settled all doubts that the misfolded prion protein (PrP(Sc)) is the key component in propagating infectivity. However, we still do not understand completely the mechanism of prion replication and whether or not other cellular factors besides PrP(Sc) are required for infectivity. In this article, we discuss these recent reports under the context of the protein-only hypothesis and their implications.

Source: Prion

DOI: 10.4161/pri.4.2.11960

Authors: Rodrigo Diaz-Espinoza, Claudio Soto

Institution: The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston

Language: English

Topic: Prion Diseases and Protein Misfolding

Subfield: Molecular Biology

Field: Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

Domain: Life Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: green

Funders: National Institutes of Health, U.S. Public Health Service, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke