Reference

In the context of the multi-component hypothesis of prions, cofactors play a crucial role in prion propagation and infectivity. Here are the key points regarding their significance:

1. Prion Propagation: Cofactors, including molecules such as lipids and polyanions, are essential for prion propagation. They interact with prion proteins, facilitating the conversion of the normal cellular prion protein (PrP^C) into its pathogenic form (PrP^Sc). This conversion is central to the spread of prion diseases.

   • Source: PMC

2. Infectivity and Strain Properties: Cofactor molecules help maintain the infectious conformation of prions (PrP^Sc) and influence the properties of different prion strains. They are necessary for producing prions with specific infectivity, which means they can affect how effectively a prion strain can infect an organism.

   • Source: PNAS
   • Source: ScienceDirect

3. Structural and Informational Components: Cofactors are considered necessary structural and informational components of infectious prions. They are not just passive elements but actively participate in the structural transformation and stabilization of prions.

   • Source: PMC7768309

4. Maintenance of Infectious Conformation: Cofactors are crucial for maintaining the infectious conformation of PrP^Sc, possibly through specific interactions that stabilize this conformation. This stabilization is important for the infectious nature of prions.

   • Source: Journal of Biological Chemistry

5. Induction of Structural Transformations: Cofactor molecules can induce structural rearrangements during prion formation, which is essential for the transformation of normal prion protein into the infectious form.

   • Source: ScienceDirect

These insights underline that cofactors are indispensable for the biological activity of prions, their infectivity, strain diversity, and structural integrity, making them a key area of study in understanding prion diseases and developing potential therapeutic approaches.

Relevant Images

By providing detailed information with images, it becomes clearer how cofactors are intricately involved in prion propagation and their overall significance in prion biology.