SHAPE-CHANGING INFECTIVITY. “Why the shape change occurs is not clear. The prion apparently fascinates its PrP counterparts, for the PrP proteins take to the prion like social zeroes to a cult leader. And, like slavish cult members, the PrP proteins emulate their new leader, converting their helical structures into the flat beta-sheet conformation. This shape-changing is the equivalent of infection.”
http://www.strangehorizons.com/2004/20040216/killer.shtml
linkedin post 2022-06-29 05:12:48
Nigel Fleming
September 21, 2022