Short Wave Killer Proteins: The Science Of Prions
Nov 17, 2022
Gabriel Spitzer, a Senior Editor at NPR with a focus on science journalism, dives deep into the eerie realm of prions—self-replicating proteins that can trigger devastating diseases. He reveals how these biological anomalies don't contain genes yet replicate, challenging foundational concepts of molecular biology. Spitzer recounts the history of kuru, a deadly brain disease that impacted the Fore people of New Guinea, shedding light on the cultural practices that facilitated its spread. He articulates the existential dread these infectious agents evoke and the revolutionary shift they represent in our understanding of health.
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Kuru and Cannibalism
- Kuru, a devastating brain-wasting disease, plagued the Fore people of New Guinea.
- Cannibalistic funeral rites, where women and children handled bodies, spread the disease.
Mysterious Infectious Agent
- Kuru's infectious agent wasn't a typical organism, but clumpy protein growths in the brain.
- These unusual protein clumps were resistant to typical sterilization methods.
Prions and Misfolding
- Proteins form from DNA via RNA and ribosomes, folding into specific shapes for their function.
- Misfolded proteins, or prions, can cause severe issues, challenging the central dogma of biology.