NR AVVP
AU Benkemoun,L.; Saupe,S.J.
TI Prion proteins as genetic material in fungi
QU Fungal Genetics and Biology 2006 Dec; 43(12): 789-803
PT journal article; review
AB Prions are infectious proteins. Several prions have been identified in fungi where they behave as non-Mendelian cytoplasmic genetic elements. Most of these prions propagate as self-perpetuating amyloid aggregates thus providing an example of structural heredity. In yeast, prion propagation requires the Hsp104 disaggregase presumably to sheer amyloid assemblies and generate more fiber ends. Recent work in yeast shows that amyloid structure polymorphism underlies the prion strain phenomenon and influences species barriers. Structural models for the amyloid form of several fungal prion proteins are now available. All propose a cross beta-organization with parallel beta-sheets. Whether or not some of the fungal prions might be beneficial to their host is still a debated issue.
ZR 130
MH Amino Acid Sequence; Extrachromosomal Inheritance/*genetics; Fungi/*genetics; Heat-Shock Proteins/metabolism; *Models, Molecular; Molecular Sequence Data; *Polymorphism, Genetic; Prions/*genetics/metabolism; Protein Structure, Tertiary; Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins/metabolism; Species Specificity
AD Laboratoire de Genetique Moleculaire des Champignons, Institut de Biochimie et de Genetique Cellulaires, UMR 5095 CNRS/Universite de Bordeaux 2, 1 Rue Camille St Saens, Bordeaux Cedex, France.
SP englisch
PO USA