The Hypothesis of the Catalytic Action of Nucleic Acid on the Conversion of Prion Protein

Title: The Hypothesis of the Catalytic Action of Nucleic Acid on the Conversion of Prion Protein

Volume: 12 Issue: 3

Author(s): Yraima Cordeiro and Jerson L. Silva

Affiliation:

Keywords: prion, structural conversion, nucleic acid, catalysis, aggregation

Abstract: The main hypothesis for prion diseases proposes that the cellular protein (PrPC) can be altered into a misfolded, β-sheet-rich isoform (PrPSc). We describe here that host nucleic acid may catalyze the conversion between PrPC and PrPSc isoforms, by reducing the protein mobility and by making the protein-protein interactions more likely. We summarize the findings, focusing in the biological relevance of the catalytic action of nucleic acid.

Cite this article as:

Cordeiro Yraima and Silva L. Jerson, The Hypothesis of the Catalytic Action of Nucleic Acid on the Conversion of Prion Protein, Protein & Peptide Letters 2005; 12 (3) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/0929866053587138