Prion protein scrapie and the normal cellular prion protein |
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| Authors: | Caroline J Atkinson Kai Zhang Alan L Munn Adrian Wiegmans |
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| Institution: | 1. Division of Molecular and Gene Therapies, Menzies Health Institute, Griffith University, Gold Coast, QLD, Australia;2. Laboratory of Yeast Cell Biology, Molecular Basis of Disease Program, Menzies Health Institute Queensland and School of Medical Science, Griffith University, Gold Coast, QLD, Australia;3. Tumour Microenvironment Laboratory, QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, Herston, Australia |
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| Abstract: | Prions are infectious proteins and over the past few decades, some prions have become renowned for their causative role in several neurodegenerative diseases in animals and humans. Since their discovery, the mechanisms and mode of transmission and molecular structure of prions have begun to be established. There is, however, still much to be elucidated about prion diseases, including the development of potential therapeutic strategies for treatment. The significance of prion disease is discussed here, including the categories of human and animal prion diseases, disease transmission, disease progression and the development of symptoms and potential future strategies for treatment. Furthermore, the structure and function of the normal cellular prion protein (PrPC) and its importance in not only in prion disease development, but also in diseases such as cancer and Alzheimer's disease will also be discussed. |
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| Keywords: | bovine spongiform encephalopathy infectious protein Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease PRNP Alzheimer's disease prion treatment |
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