Fungal prion
Fungal prion
Fungal prion (/ˈfaʊn.dʒəl ˈpriː.ɒn/) is a type of protein that can trigger normal proteins in the cell to fold abnormally. Prion proteins are found most prevalently in Fungal species, and are unique in that they are infectious.
Etymology
The term "prion" was first used in 1982 and is derived from the words "protein" and "infection". The term "fungal" is derived from the Latin word "fungus", which means mushroom.
Function
Fungal prions are not inherently harmful and can have beneficial effects on the host organism. They are involved in a variety of cellular processes, including cell division, protein synthesis, and DNA repair. However, when these proteins misfold, they can cause a variety of neurodegenerative diseases, including Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease and kuru.
Related Terms
- Prion: A type of protein that can trigger normal proteins in the cell to fold abnormally.
- Protein misfolding: A process by which proteins become structurally abnormal and lose their functionality.
- Neurodegenerative diseases: A group of disorders characterized by the progressive degeneration of the structure and function of the nervous system.
- Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease: A rare and fatal condition that affects the brain. It is characterized by rapidly progressive dementia.
- Kuru: A rare and fatal brain disorder that occurred at epidemic levels during the 1950s-60s among the Fore people in the highlands of New Guinea.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Fungal prion
- Wikipedia's article - Fungal prion
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