If prions lack their own nucleic acids and are merely proteins, a very important question requires an answer. How can a protein enter a host cell and direct the process of replication? To answer this question a large number of hypotheses have been put forward. An interesting hypothesis has been given by a group of scientists from the MRC Neuropathogenesis Unit at Edinburg. This hypothesis states that the existence of small piece of DNA gene (also called prp gene) is necessary to encode the amino acid sequence of prion protein at the time of its replication. This DNA gene is a component of the host genetic material (host DNA). The prion protein presumably serves as a promoter of DNA gene expression.
Recent studies indicate that prions represent a changed conformation of proteins normally found in cells. Once prions are produced, they somehow persuade the normal versions of the corresponding protein to assume the altered conformation and, thereby, become prions.
Recent studies indicate that prions represent a changed conformation of proteins normally found in cells. Once prions are produced, they somehow persuade the normal versions of the corresponding protein to assume the altered conformation and, thereby, become prions.
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