Source: Science News
Researchers have mapped the first detailed structure of the infectious prion responsible for chronic wasting disease (CWD), a fatal neurological illness in deer, elk, and moose, revealing a unique 180-degree twist in the protein. This structural difference, absent in rodent-adapted versions of the prion used for study, may explain why CWD has not yet spread to humans despite concerns over its presence in animals consumed as food.
CWD prions misfold healthy brain proteins (PrP) into clumps, causing symptoms like weight loss, listlessness, and lack of fear. While studies suggest the risk to humans is very low, understanding the unique features of deer prions could clarify why they don’t easily infect humans and guide vaccine or drug development. The research, published in Acta Neuropathologica, highlights the challenges of studying prions due to their sticky, clumped nature. This structural insight offers a foundation for preventing prion-related diseases.
Read the full story HERE: https://www.sciencenews.org/article/chronic-wasting-disease-deer-prion