Eli5: As I understand, a prion is a misfolded protein. How does misfolding apparently give it the ability to break everything?
In: 15
One misfolded protein is fine, you cells will destroy it. But prions are worse. They will literally touch another protein and force it to misfold. The new misfolded protein can now also go and touch other proteins and make it misfold. This exponential reaction will misfold nearly every protein in your entire body within a few weeks. No good protein = no bodily functions = death.
If this kinda sounds similar to how viruses and bacteria infect cells, you’re right. That’s why some people think of prions as “infectious proteins”
Latest Answers