Re: scientific american

From: ABlainey@aol.com
Date: Mon May 29 2000 - 13:05:05 MDT


In a message dated 29/05/00 18:51:45 GMT Standard Time, CurtAdams@aol.com
writes:

>
> > I wonder what happens to proteins which get built with errors? They
won't
> > self-assemble and will just float around, useless. There must be some
> > other machinery which takes them apart, but it would seem hard to take
> > apart an arbitrarily error-loaded protein.
>
> Yes, there is machinery: chaperones recognize these defective proteins,
> and ubiquinate them, which causes them to get disassembled in proteosomes.
> I would guess there are other mechanisms too.
>

    What happens in the case of Pryons, like the type that *cause* C.J.D and
B.S.E.
    Are these ignored because they far too different from the defective
protiens that the Chaperones usually enconter ?. Does a Pryon differ
sygnificantly from a protien ? or are they just a biological aboration with
the ability to act as catalysts and mutate other protiens ?. I know its
probably a stupid question but my knowledge of the subject is very limited,
but its of great interest to me.

    Alex.

    



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