3 ms·
Can anyone explain what a "genetically transmitted neurodegenerative prion disease" is? I thought prions were misfolded proteins found in the wild that had to
by exhilaration 7y ago
Can anyone explain what a "genetically transmitted neurodegenerative prion disease" is? I thought prions were misfolded proteins found in the wild that had to be ingested in order to cause disease. How can they be genetically transmitted?
- bookofjoe 7y agoI'm a physician, and I have exactly the same thought.
- milesdyson_phd 7y agoIt's not a prion per se, but it's a genetic mutation affecting PRNP (prion protein).
- bookofjoe 7y agoExcellent. Thank you.
- hacoo 7y agoDefinitely not an expert, but I think it means you have a gene which causes eventual production of a prion. I.e., you produce proteins which have the potential to misfold; eventually this happens and prion disease begins.
- deleted 7y ago[deleted]