Available evidence is consistent with the proposal that prion diseases are caused by infectious proteins.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Prion diseases, or transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs), are caused by infectious proteins called prions. These prions can induce normal cellular versions of the protein to adopt the same misfolded shape, leading to the accumulation of protein aggregates in the brain and ultimately resulting in neurological damage and death. The infectious nature of prions has been demonstrated in laboratory experiments and in natural outbreaks of TSEs in animals and humans.

Available Evidence Is Consistent with the Proposal That Prion Diseases