Prion 'strains', multiple conformations of the same misfolded protein, have captured great interest because of their role in transmission of mad cow disease to humans. Prion strains have also been observed in yeast, where self-propagating protein folds are responsible for inheritable traits. Recent findings reveal an exciting new insight into the structural basis of this phenomenon.
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Cobb, N., Surewicz, W. Prion strains under the magnifying glass. Nat Struct Mol Biol 14, 882–884 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1038/nsmb1007-882
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/nsmb1007-882