Chemicals and Drugs

Prions

Small proteinaceous infectious particles which resist inactivation by procedures that modify NUCLEIC ACIDS and contain an abnormal isoform of a cellular protein which is a major and necessary component. The abnormal (scrapie) isoform is PrPSc (PRPSC PROTEINS) and the cellular isoform PrPC (PRPC PROTEINS). The primary amino acid sequence of the two isoforms is identical. Human diseases caused by prions include CREUTZFELDT-JAKOB SYNDROME; GERSTMANN-STRAUSSLER SYNDROME; and INSOMNIA, FATAL FAMILIAL.

National Library of MedicineMedical Subject Headings2026

Structured Summary

Abstract

Small proteinaceous infectious particles which resist inactivation by procedures that modify NUCLEIC ACIDS and contain an abnormal isoform of a cellular protein which is a major and necessary component. The abnormal (scrapie) isoform is PrPSc (PRPSC PROTEINS) and the cellular isoform PrPC (PRPC PROTEINS). The primary amino acid sequence of the two isoforms is identical. Human diseases caused by prions include CREUTZFELDT-JAKOB SYNDROME; GERSTMANN-STRAUSSLER SYNDROME; and INSOMNIA, FATAL FAMILIAL.

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Synonyms

3 entry terms
  • Prion
  • Mink Encephalopathy Virus
  • Encephalopathy Virus, Mink

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Aspects Covered

30 allowable subheadings

Indexed with the subheadings administration & dosage, adverse effects, agonists, analysis, antagonists & inhibitors, biosynthesis, blood, cerebrospinal fluid, chemical synthesis, chemistry, classification, drug effects, economics, genetics, history, immunology, isolation & purification, metabolism, pathogenicity, pharmacokinetics, pharmacology, physiology, poisoning, radiation effects, standards, supply & distribution, therapeutic use, toxicity, ultrastructure, urine.

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History Note

86; MINK ENCEPHALOPATHY VIRUS was heading 1991-92, was see under VERTEBRATE VIRUSES, UNCLASSIFIED (now VIRUSES, UNCLASSIFIED) 1975-90; TRANSMISSIBLE ENCEPHALOPATHY VIRUS OF MINK was see MINK ENCEPHALOPATHY VIRUS 1975-92

MeSH Record

Previous Indexing

  • PrPSc Proteins (1966-1985)
  • Viral Proteins (1966-1985)

MeSH Hierarchy

Tree Number

  1. D12.776w.785w

MeSH Record

NLM Classification

QU 55

AMA Style

References

  1. National Library of Medicine. Prions. Medical Subject Headings (MeSH). 2026. Unique ID D011328. http://id.nlm.nih.gov/mesh/2026/D011328
  2. Prions. In: Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prion
  3. Prions. In: Wikidata. https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q47051