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Related Concept Videos

Protein-Protein Interfaces02:04

Protein-Protein Interfaces

Many proteins form complexes to carry out their functions, making protein-protein interactions (PPIs) essential for an organism's survival. Most PPIs are stabilized by numerous weak noncovalent chemical forces. The physical shape of the interfaces determines the way two proteins interact. Many globular proteins have closely-matching shapes on their surfaces, which form a large number of weak bonds. Additionally, many PPIs occur between two helices or between a surface cleft and a polypeptide...
Protein-protein Interfaces02:04

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Protein Complexes with Interchangeable Parts01:57

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 22, 2026

High-throughput Screening for Protein-based Inheritance in S. cerevisiae
08:12

High-throughput Screening for Protein-based Inheritance in S. cerevisiae

Published on: August 8, 2017

The ZIP-prion connection.

Sepehr Ehsani1, Mohadeseh Mehrabian, Cosmin L Pocanschi

  • 1Tanz Centre for Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON Canada.

Prion
|May 12, 2012
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Prion genes, once mysterious, are now linked to ZIP metal ion transporters. Their evolution likely involved reverse transcription of a precursor gene, offering new insights into prion protein biology.

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Protein Misfolding Cyclic Amplification of Prions
10:12

Protein Misfolding Cyclic Amplification of Prions

Published on: November 7, 2012

Area of Science:

  • Evolutionary biology
  • Genetics
  • Neuroscience

Background:

  • The evolutionary origins of vertebrate prion genes were previously unknown.
  • Recent evidence suggests prion genes are an ancient branch of ZIP metal ion transporters.
  • A follow-up study proposed the prion founder gene emerged via reverse transcription of a LIV-1 ZIP predecessor transcript.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To discuss the significance of the ZIP and prion gene subfamily reunion.
  • To explore implications for understanding prion protein biology in health and disease.
  • To comment on pertinent concepts, experimental paradigms, and ongoing developments in the field.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing scientific literature.
  • Analysis of evolutionary evidence.
  • Synthesis of findings from multiple lines of research.

Main Results:

  • Prion genes are evolutionarily linked to ZIP metal ion transporters.
  • The emergence of the prion founder gene likely involved reverse transcription of a spliced transcript.
  • This reunion provides a new framework for prion biology research.

Conclusions:

  • The evolutionary connection between prion and ZIP genes offers novel perspectives on prion protein function.
  • Understanding this evolutionary history is crucial for investigating prion diseases.
  • Further research is needed to fully elucidate the biological significance of this gene family relationship.