Prion protein interconversions.
The transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs), or prion diseases, remain mysterious neurodegenerative diseases that involve perturbations in prion protein (PrP) structure. This article summarizes our use of in vitro models to describe how PrP is converted to the disease-associated, protease-resistant form. These models reflect many important biological parameters of TSE diseases and have been used to identify inhibitors of the PrP conversion as lead compounds in the development of anti-TSE drugs.
Laboratory of Persistent Viral Diseases, NIAID/NIH, Rocky Mountain Laboratories, Hamilton, MT 59840, USA. bcaughey@nih.gov
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Caughey
D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle; D015195:Drug Design; D006801:Humans; D017096:Prion Diseases / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000635:transmission; D011328:Prions / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000472:pathogenicity
D011328:Prions