BASIC FACTS ABOUT CJD and TSEs (2)
Related diseases occur in other mammals
Group of diseases including CJD are called “Transmissable Spongiform Encephalopathies” or TSEs
Caused by an abnormal version of a naturally occurring protein called a PRION
Abnormal prion protein accumulates, leading to cell death
Abnormal prions can cause normal prions to convert to the abnormal form
Work by Professor Mick Tuite of UKC and others has shown that this type of protein behaviour is not just seen in TSE’s but is found in primitive cell types (yeasts)