prion protein
noun
: a glycoprotein found especially on the cell surface of neurons in the brain and spinal cord that sometimes occurs in an abnormal misfolded form which proliferates by inducing the normal protein to convert to the misfolded pathogenic form
When the normal prion protein misfolds, it resists recycling and forms a hardy gunk. Some aspect of this process produces lethal sponge-like holes in brain cells.—
Sandra Blakeslee
—abbreviation PrP
see prion entry 2
Sandra BlakesleeExamples of prion protein in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Every cell in the brain has the gene for making the prion protein.
—Karen Weintraub, USA TODAY, 27 June 2024
These diseases are triggered when the prion protein found in all normal brains starts misfolding for some reason, as yet unknown.
—Karen Weintraub, USA TODAY, 27 June 2024
In a separate experiment, researchers in the United States and Austria used a prion protein generated by E. coli to infect hamsters with a transmissible brain disease.
—Amber Angelle, Discover Magazine, 3 Oct. 2010
Béringue also worked with mice that stocked the human prion protein, and exposed them to the strain that causes BSE in cows.
—Ed Yong, Discover Magazine, 30 Jan. 2012
While some investigators focus on the disease-causing version of the prion protein, others are looking into what the healthy forms of those proteins do in the body.
—Amber Angelle, Discover Magazine, 3 Oct. 2010
But these conditions are increasingly being seen as variants of the same disease, all stemming from the misfolding of one specific protein: the prion protein, or PrP. Vallabh and Minikel believe this protein is a suitable target for ASO treatments.
—Bret Stetka, Scientific American, 15 Aug. 2019
Why these prion proteins change in harmful ways is not yet understood.
—Korin Miller, SELF, 20 Feb. 2019
Generally, prions are infectious, deformed versions of the normal prion protein (PRNP), which functions on the outside of healthy cells in the brain.
—Beth Mole, Ars Technica, 26 Apr. 2018
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Karen Weintraub, USA TODAY, 27 June 2024
These diseases are triggered when the prion protein found in all normal brains starts misfolding for some reason, as yet unknown.
—Karen Weintraub, USA TODAY, 27 June 2024
In a separate experiment, researchers in the United States and Austria used a prion protein generated by E. coli to infect hamsters with a transmissible brain disease.
—Amber Angelle, Discover Magazine, 3 Oct. 2010
Béringue also worked with mice that stocked the human prion protein, and exposed them to the strain that causes BSE in cows.
—Ed Yong, Discover Magazine, 30 Jan. 2012
While some investigators focus on the disease-causing version of the prion protein, others are looking into what the healthy forms of those proteins do in the body.
—Amber Angelle, Discover Magazine, 3 Oct. 2010
But these conditions are increasingly being seen as variants of the same disease, all stemming from the misfolding of one specific protein: the prion protein, or PrP. Vallabh and Minikel believe this protein is a suitable target for ASO treatments.
—Bret Stetka, Scientific American, 15 Aug. 2019
Why these prion proteins change in harmful ways is not yet understood.
—Korin Miller, SELF, 20 Feb. 2019
Generally, prions are infectious, deformed versions of the normal prion protein (PRNP), which functions on the outside of healthy cells in the brain.
—Beth Mole, Ars Technica, 26 Apr. 2018
Dictionary Entries Near prion protein
Cite this Entry
“Prion protein.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prion%20protein. Accessed 2 Dec. 2024.
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