No nucleic acid, no DNA nor RNA, yet they replicate in their hosts and cause diseases. Proins are very small pertinacious infectious agents. Kuru a very interesting disease that infected the New Guinea Fore tribes. There are many reasons that support the Protien theory behind the structure of prions. Priona are resistant to nucleases which mean they lack nucleic acid Prions are also resistant to radiation, hinting the possibility of no genome.
Prions are very sensitive to proteases.
Prions have an extraordinarily unique physical properties. The personal home pages of California students, staff, and faculty do not in any way constitute official California University content.