STUDENT: Kaylee Salony

PROJECT ADVISOR: Meg Hatch

ABSTRACT

Prions are a type of misfolded protein that cause fatal neurological diseases in mammals [1]. Illnesses caused by prions include Chronic-Wasting Disease in bovids and cervids, Bovine-Spongiform Encephalopathy in cows (Bos taraus), and Kuru in humans (Homo sapiens) [1]. These diseases occur when the normal prion protein (PrPC) misfolds and turns into a more dangerous version such as PrPTSE [2]. Animals risk getting infected with these proteins with direct contact, along with indirect contact such as an encounter of blood, urine, feces or saliva of another infected animal [2]. The main issue is that Prions move from species to species, infecting, and eventually killing every susceptible animal who has encountered them [1]. If a mammal does meet another infected animal, research articles report that they may experience damage to the neural tissues, sensitivity to stimuli, and a spongey appearance of the neural tissue[2]. This review focuses on the way prions move throughout the environment, and their effects. Research articles report that prions are found in many places such as the soil, wastewater and landfills. There is evidence that prions can stay dormant in the environment for years [2]. Also, experiments show that prions are constantly evolving and changing, they have a profound ability to adapt to their new host [3]. Therefore, prions are a huge risk to mammals due to how abundant they are in the environment, how long they last and their ability to evolve.

Key Words: Prion, Protein, Neurological Diseases, Chronic-Wasting Disease, Bovine-Spongiform Encephalopathy