Nonpathogenic prions.

The article reports on the non-pathogenic prion which contains the protein HET-s found in the fungus Podospora anserine which thrives in herbivore dung. It says that the protein forms a barrier thus prevent spread of parasitic genetic elements and pathogenic viruses in the fungal strains. A study in 2012 by biochemist Sven Saupe and mycologist Alfons Debets worked on the collection of herbivore dung which was then examined and found the prion which contains the protein HET-s.