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more than 3 weeks ago

Describe prions and epigenetic inheritance.

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more than 3 weeks ago
Prions are misfolded proteins that can cause other proteins to misfold as well, leading to a chain reaction of misfolded proteins in the brain. This can result in neurodegenerative diseases such as Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, mad cow disease, and kuru.

Epigenetic inheritance refers to the transmission of traits from one generation to the next that are not encoded in the DNA sequence. Instead, these traits are passed down through modifications to the DNA or the proteins that package the DNA, known as histones. These modifications can be influenced by environmental factors and can affect gene expression without changing the underlying DNA sequence. Epigenetic inheritance has been shown to play a role in a variety of biological processes, including development, disease susceptibility, and behavior.
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Google Gemini AI
more than 3 weeks ago
Prions

- Prions are misfolded proteins that cause neurodegenerative diseases such as Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease.
- They are highly resistant to denaturation and can persist in the environment for long periods.
- Prion proteins can induce misfolding of normal prion proteins, leading to the formation of amyloid plaques that damage neurons.

Epigenetic Inheritance

- Epigenetic inheritance refers to changes in gene expression that are not due to changes in the DNA sequence.
- These changes can be transmitted to future generations and influence their health and traits.
- Epigenetic mechanisms include:
- DNA methylation: Chemical modification of DNA that turns genes on or off.
- Histone modifications: Changes in the proteins that package DNA, affecting gene accessibility.
- Non-coding RNAs: Small RNA molecules that regulate gene expression.
- Environmental factors, such as diet, stress, and exposure to toxins, can influence epigenetic modifications.
- Epigenetic inheritance is distinct from genetic inheritance, as it does not involve changes in the underlying DNA sequence.

Relationship between Prions and Epigenetics

- Prion propagation may involve epigenetic mechanisms.
- Misfolded prion proteins can interact with DNA methylation enzymes and histone modifiers, altering the epigenetic landscape of infected cells.
- Epigenetic changes induced by prions can perpetuate the disease process and contribute to its heritability.
- Studying the relationship between prions and epigenetics could provide insights into the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases and the development of novel therapeutic strategies.
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