Stefanie Greve wrote:
> What do you think might be an appropriate definition of life? The mere
> existence of DNA or rather small Macromolecules as in Prions?
>
Prions are not alive. They are a toxic substance produced in certain organisms under specialized conditions.
They are more of a toxin than anything else. They exhibit their toxic activity by converting a naturllay
occurring protein into a malfolded, toxic one through template driven assembly. Viruses in many ways are
similar. Viruses appear to be 'escaped' genes that find a way to reproduce. So maybe prions are escaped
proteins that find a way to reproduce.
BMB
--
Brian M Burkhart, Ph.D.
Hauptman-Woodward Medical Research Institute
73 High Street Buffalo, NY 14203
Phone: (716)856-9600 x313 FAX: (716)852-6086
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