PRIONS: New Lifeform; New "Slow" Virus Or Just Convoluted Proteins? (infected, videos)

[PITTSTON2SARASOTA]

PRIONS are mis-folded proteins that are responsible for the the commonly known "Mad Cow Disease". However it can be also argued that they are a lifeform on the following premises: They can replicate themselves; They are subject to natural selection and mutation; They are contagious and vary from species to species.

Some fungi contain them; but the prions within seem to do no harm and actually appear beneficial to the fungi. They have also been implicated in Alzheimer's disease. Once some forms are acquired; in mammals they always prove fatal; with no known cure.

I have a "gut" feeling that they are a "slow" form of a new virus; possibly similar to HIV. Any other posters familar with Prions? Or now fascinated by them, since few people know of them but are familar with Mad Cow Disease.

Prion - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Fungal prions - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Alzheimer's disease - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KUompqk3FJs


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w5aAPEYIL9A


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wvxz-...3BD3B2&index=1

So much to learn and so little time; the debate still rages! .

[Rickers]

Are these the same prions that cause some people to shy away from eating wild game like deer and elk ?
I have heard folks say things to not very bright people such as " buddy you've been eating too much squirrel meat ", does it cause an encephalitis like disease ? My internet connection is sluggish right now so I didn't look at the videos.

[Six Foot Three]

Hmm ... great subject PITTS as the Biological sciences are my fave .

Well they can't be destroyed by heat but aren't most viruses killed by heat?

I just read about the swimmer who died from getting infected with protozoa(?) as more people are getting infected from these in fresh water lakes as once they get into the brain from water going up the nose they cause brain inflammation and there is no cure and you die.

So maybe Prions are a form of Fungal Protozoa once in the brain or maybe even a Viroid that has mutated ?

[Gue]

Prions cannot be destroyed by boiling, alcohol, acid, standard autoclaving methods, or radiation. In fact, infected brains that have been sitting in formaldehyde for decades can still transmit spongiform disease. Cooking your burger 'til it's well done won't destroy the prions.

Very interesting in that it has good & bad reactions. It is needed for healthy cell functions but when folded kills the healthy cell & turns normal prion protein lethal.

I read it was compared to Vonnegut's ice-nine. Ice-nine - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Vonnegut thought of the idea working at GE...

!

[PITTSTON2SARASOTA]

Originally Posted by rickers

Are these the same prions that cause some people to shy away from eating wild game like deer and elk ?
I have heard folks say things to not very bright people such as " buddy you've been eating too much squirrel meat ", does it cause an encephalitis like disease ? My internet connection is sluggish right now so I didn't look at the videos.

Unfortunately....YES!!!!! PLEASE be very careful with WILD game; symptoms do NOT always appear; but the Prions can be there and contacious/infectious!!! AS far as I am aware. .

[PITTSTON2SARASOTA]

Originally Posted by 6 FOOT 3

Hmm ... great subject PITTS as the Biological sciences are my fave .

Well they can't be destroyed by heat but aren't most viruses killed by heat?

I just read about the swimmer who died from getting infected with protozoa(?) as more people are getting infected from these in fresh water lakes as once they get into the brain from water going up the nose they cause brain inflammation and there is no cure and you die.

So maybe Prions are a form of Fungal Protozoa once in the brain or maybe even a Viroid that has mutated ?

I thought you would enjoy it! I'm more into Astronomy; but Prions are really different and interesting; plus I had a feeling most posters were not familar with the terminology. Thanx for the additional insight... . I really don't know, but I think the folded but "normal" protien theory just seems too easy and simplistic. Time will tell. Scary too!

[PITTSTON2SARASOTA]

Originally Posted by Gue

Prions cannot be destroyed by boiling, alcohol, acid, standard autoclaving methods, or radiation. In fact, infected brains that have been sitting in formaldehyde for decades can still transmit spongiform disease. Cooking your burger 'til it's well done won't destroy the prions.

Very interesting in that it has good & bad reactions. It is needed for healthy cell functions but when folded kills the healthy cell & turns normal prion protein lethal.

I read it was compared to Vonnegut's ice-nine. Ice-nine - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Vonnegut thought of the idea working at GE...

!

THANKYOU for your input; the additional information and the link! .

[Brontosaurus]

I don't know how to classify prions but if you want to know more "Mad Cow USA" is a great book - just don't read it late at night - it's worse than any fictional horror story. Mad Cow USA | Center for Media and Democracy

[Six Foot Three]

Originally Posted by PITTSTON2SARASOTA

I thought you would enjoy it! I'm more into Astronomy; but Prions are really different and interesting; plus I had a feeling most posters were not familar with the terminology. Thanx for the additional insight... . I really don't know, but I think the folded but "normal" protien theory just seems too easy and simplistic. Time will tell. Scary too!

While there has been no research into this however i got to pondering ( i know scary ) what if someone who contracted these prions or even those with alzheimer's plaques if they took proteolytic enzymes on an empty stomach over a period of time if they could make their way across the blood brain barrier and possibly dissolve them.

Any thoughts?

[PITTSTON2SARASOTA]

Originally Posted by Bob-666

I don't know how to classify prions but if you want to know more "Mad Cow USA" is a great book - just don't read it late at night - it's worse than any fictional horror story. Mad Cow USA | Center for Media and Democracy

It already really terrifies me...LOL; but I thank you for and will check your link. .