Prion Research Interests Prion Research Interests Swiss Beta Zipper conversion model of cellular Prp to scrapie Prp proposed by K. W thrich.
Prions contain no nucleic acid and are therefore different from any other infectious disease.
Prions replicate by converting cellular Prion proteins termed PrPc into an infectious isoform PrPSc. Research A crucial step in the replication cycle of prions is the conversion of the cellular prion protein PrPc to the Scrapie isoform PrPSc. We demonstrated that molecular chaperones interact specifically with prion proteins and suggest that chaperones can be involved in prion propagation. Inhibition of the conversion of PrPc to PrPSc will block the replication cycle of prions and reveals a most promising approach for a therapeutical intervention. PrPc is located on the surface of mainly neuronal cells.