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Updated: May 6, 2026

Investigating the Spreading and Toxicity of Prion-like Proteins Using the Metazoan Model Organism C. elegans
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Infectivity versus Seeding in Neurodegenerative Diseases Sharing a Prion-Like Mechanism

Natalia Fernández-Borges1, Hasier Eraña, Saioa R Elezgarai

  • 1CIC bioGUNE, Parque Tecnológico de Bizkaia, Derio, 48160 Bizkaia, Spain.

International Journal of Cell Biology
|November 5, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Prion-like mechanisms involve protein misfolding and propagation in neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. These processes, similar to prion infection, highlight the need for broader definitions of disease-causing agents.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Molecular Biology
  • Pathology

Background:

  • Prions exemplify protein-to-protein biological information transfer via conformational changes.
  • The term "prion-like" describes mechanisms mimicking prion self-perpetuating aggregation and spreading.
  • Neurodegenerative diseases share convergent mechanisms of misfolded protein propagation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the concept of "prion-like" behavior in neurodegenerative disorders.
  • To discuss the implications of protein misfolding propagation for disease mechanisms.
  • To propose an extended definition of disease-causing agents.

Main Methods:

  • Review of in vitro and in vivo experiments on Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and ALS.
  • Analysis of molecular mechanisms of protein aggregation and spreading.
  • Conceptual analysis of prion infection, seeding, and de novo induction.

Main Results:

  • Evidence shows a convergence toward a common mechanism of misfolded protein propagation across different neurodegenerative diseases.
  • The term "infection" can describe these processes, alongside "seeding" and "de novo induction" for in vivo propagation.
  • Current research necessitates an expanded definition of "disease-causing agents" to encompass various misfolded proteins.

Conclusions:

  • Misfolded protein propagation is a unifying mechanism in neurodegenerative diseases.
  • "Seeding" is a transmission mechanism but not the entirety of an "infection" process.
  • The definition of disease-causing agents should evolve to include diverse misfolded proteins involved in prion-like phenomena.

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