Prion protein. Computer artwork of part of a prion protein. Prions cause diseases such as BSE (bovine spongiform encephalopathy) in cows and CJD (Creu

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Prion protein. Computer artwork of part of a prion protein. Prions cause diseases such as BSE (bovine spongiform encephalopathy) in cows and CJD (Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease) in humans. They are a mutated form of a normal cell protein (PrP). The atoms are colour-coded: hydrogen (light blue), oxygen (red), nitrogen (dark blue) and carbon (orange). Prions consist of amino acids formed into spiralling alpha-helices (purple and orange) and straight beta-sheets (such as the two mauve areas on the strands at upper centre). This is the rigid and stable half of the protein. The other half (not shown) is variable in shape. One shape is believed to be responsible for CJD and BSE.

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Size: 4341px × 3251px
Photo credit: © ALFRED PASIEKA/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

Keywords: ar, artwork, biology, bse, cjd, creutzfeldt-jakob, dis., graphic, image, images, magnified, microbiology, microscopic, model, molecular, organism, photos, prion, prions, protein, subjects, virology, virus-