prion protein
noun
: a glycoprotein found especially on the cell surface of neurons in the brain and spinal cord that sometimes occurs in an abnormal misfolded form which proliferates by inducing the normal protein to convert to the misfolded pathogenic form
When the normal prion protein misfolds, it resists recycling and forms a hardy gunk. Some aspect of this process produces lethal sponge-like holes in brain cells.—Sandra Blakeslee
—abbreviation PrP
see prion entry 2
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share