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Procedures for Identifying Infectious Prions After Passage Through the Digestive System of an Avian Species
Published on: November 6, 2013
Transmission of prions.
C Weissmann1, M Enari, P-C Klöhn
1Medical Research Council Prion Unit, Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London WC1N 3BG, UK. charles.weissmann@prion.ucl.ac.uk
The Journal of Infectious Diseases
|November 9, 2002
Summary
The "protein only" hypothesis suggests prions, misfolded host proteins, cause transmissible spongiform encephalopathies. These unique, transmissible diseases exhibit remarkable resistance to sterilization and bind to surfaces.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Infectious Diseases
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs) are linked to the "protein only" hypothesis.
- This hypothesis posits that a misfolded host protein, PrP, acts as the infectious agent.
- Prion diseases are unique conformational diseases known for their transmissibility.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the "protein only" hypothesis for TSEs.
- To investigate the unique characteristics of prions, including their transmissibility and resistance.
- To understand the pathway of prions to the brain and their surface-binding properties.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing evidence supporting the "protein only" hypothesis.
- Analysis of prion transmissibility via experimental and natural routes.
- Investigation of prion resistance to sterilization and surface binding properties.
Main Results:
- Strong evidence supports the "protein only" hypothesis for TSEs.
- Prion diseases are experimentally and naturally transmissible, primarily through ingestion.
- Prions demonstrate exceptional resistance to sterilization and bind to metal and plastic surfaces without losing infectivity.
Conclusions:
- The
- protein only
- hypothesis is well-supported by current evidence.
- Prions possess unique characteristics, including transmissibility and extreme resistance, making them a distinct class of infectious agents.
- Ongoing research investigates prion pathways and surface interactions in experimental models.
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