Noun
(microbiology) an infectious protein particle similar to a virus but lacking nucleic acid; thought to be the agent responsible for scrapie and other degenerative diseases of the nervous system
Source: WordNetCPEB is the first self-propogating form of a prion known to serve a physiological function... perpetuation of synaptic facilitation and memory storage. Eric Kandel
Our goal is to figure out a therapy for prion diseases. Stanley B. Prusiner
Genetic testing of the 16 positive samples revealed a higher proportion of valine homozygous (VV) genotype on the codon 129 of the gene encoding the prion protein (PRNP) compared with the general UK population. Source: Internet
But there are also fears—based on animal studies citation —that consuming beef or beef products containing prion particles can also cause the development of classic CJD. Source: Internet
Cause Idiogram of Chromosome 20 showing gene PRP location Gene PRNP that provides instructions for making the prion protein PrP C is located on the short (p) arm of chromosome 20 at position p13. Source: Internet
For example, the population at risk of the severe debilitating disease kuru has significant over-representation of an immune variant of the prion protein gene G127V versus non-immune alleles. Source: Internet