Question

Do Prions infect plants?

Answer 1

Prions:

1. The term Prion means proteinaceous infectious particles.
2. Prions are the infectious agents responsible for several neurodegenerative diseases in mammals, like, Creutzfeldt Jakob disease.
3. This happens due to the abnormal folding of the proteins in the brain.
4. Current research has shown that prions are able to infect plants. The leaves from these plants are then eaten by animals, causing prion-diseases in those animals.
5. Prions, according to the present study, may infect plants. Animals consume the leaves of these plants, leading them to acquire prion illnesses.
   Chronic Wasting Disease in deer can be caused by ingesting prions-infected plants.
6. According to a new study from the National Wildlife Health Center (NWHC) in Madison, prions are infectious and malformed proteins that cause chronic wasting disease (CWD) in deer, may be taken up by plants such as alfalfa, maize, and tomatoes.