Synthetic prions.
The prion theory postulates that prions are novel infectious agents that are composed largely, if not entirely, of abnormally folded host-encoded prion proteins. However, the existence of different prion strains is enigma, if these novel infectious agents lack a genetic element, such as a nucleic acid. The best proof for this 'protein-only' concept would be the in vitro generation of prions from synthetic sources. Indeed, a substantial body of evidence has meanwhile been accumulated in favour of this postulate. This mini review recapitulates all relevant studies and experimental data on the generation of synthetic prions.
Eiden
M
M
Institute for Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases (INEID) at the Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Boddenblick 5a, 17493 Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany.
Buschmann
A
A
Kupfer
L
L
Groschup
M H
MH
D000818:Animals; D002493:Central Nervous System Diseases / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary* / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D017096:Prion Diseases / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary* / Q000821:virology; D011328:Prions / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry
D011328:Prions