Question

How do prions propagate and replicate themselves?

Answer 1

Prions:

1. Prions are said to be virus-like organisms made up of a prion protein.
2. They have elongated fibrils that are said to be aggregations of the protein that makes them infectious prion.
3. Prions attack nerve cell fibers producing neurodegenerative brain disease.
4. "Mad cow" symptoms include glazed eyes and uncontrollable body tremor are caused by prions.

Replication in prions:

1. Propagation in prions is done by transmitting a misfolded protein state.
2. Upon its entry into a healthy organism, the prion induces the conversion of properly-folded proteins into the disease-associated- prion form.
3. This can then act as a template to guide the misfolding of more proteins into prion form.