Prions: proteins as genes and infectious entities

Authors :: Ross, Eric D.
Brachmann, Andreas
Roberts, B. Tibor
Wickner, Reed B.
Edskes, Herman K.
Baxa, Ulrich
Pierce, Michael M.
Source :: Genes & Development. March 1, 2004, Vol. 18 Issue 5, 470-485
Publication Year :: 2004
Abstract: The term Prion means 'infectious protein' in any organism, irrespective of the mechanism and implies the absence of a nuclei acid necessary for the infectivity. Infectious proteins (Prion) include the transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSES) of mammals, the amyloidoses [URE3], [PSI] and [PIN] of Saccharomyces cerevisiac, [Het-s] of the filamentous fungus podospora anserina, and the self-activating in trans vocular protease B of yeast.