misfolding
Molecular shape failure
Misfolding is the process by which a protein assumes an incorrect three-dimensional shape.
Proteins must fold into precise configurations to function properly; when they misfold, they may become inactive or toxic.
Misfolded proteins are implicated in diseases like Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and mad cow disease: Prion diseases spread through misfolding that corrupts normal proteins.
Protective adult companion
- denaturationStructural breakdown of proteins
- conformationStructural form or arrangement
- aggregationCombined collection of items
- amyloidCross-beta protein aggregate
oligomer · polypeptide · hydrophobicity · kinetics · thermodynamics · stability · solubility · intramolecular
Degenerative brain disease
- Parkinson'sNeurodegenerative motor disorder
- Huntington'sInherited neurodegenerative condition
- prionSelf-propagating rogue protein
- amyloidosisPathological protein deposition disorder
cardiomyopathy · cystic fibrosis · ALS · dementia · neurodegeneration · type 2 diabetes · cataracts
Permanent DNA alteration
- prionSelf-propagating rogue protein
- alleleGene variant at one locus
- polymorphismMany forms, one interface
- familialPertaining to relatives
hereditary · genotype · phenotype · gain of function · point mutation · inherited · sporadic · penetrance
Combined collection of items
- fibrilTiny structural thread
- plaqueInscribed memorial tablet
- inclusion bodiesProtein clumps within cells
- toxicityCapacity to cause harm
deposition · accumulation · tangles · tissue damage · organ failure · apoptosis · necrosis · inflammation
Supervising companions for youth
- autophagyCellular self-degradation process
- lysosomeDigestive organelle in cells
- degradationDecline in condition
- quality controlMaintaining production standards
endoplasmic reticulum · stress response · sequestration · clearance
chaperone
Protective adult companion
- denaturationStructural breakdown of proteins
- conformationStructural form or arrangement
- aggregationCombined collection of items
amyloid · oligomer · polypeptide · hydrophobicity · kinetics · thermodynamics · stability · solubility · intramolecular · covalent bonds
Alzheimer's
Degenerative brain disease
- Parkinson'sNeurodegenerative motor disorder
- Huntington'sInherited neurodegenerative condition
- prionSelf-propagating rogue protein
amyloidosis · cardiomyopathy · cystic fibrosis · ALS · dementia · neurodegeneration · type 2 diabetes · cataracts
mutation
Permanent DNA alteration
- prionSelf-propagating rogue protein
- alleleGene variant at one locus
- polymorphismMany forms, one interface
familial · hereditary · genotype · phenotype · gain of function · point mutation · inherited · sporadic · penetrance · expressivity
aggregation
Combined collection of items
- fibrilTiny structural thread
- plaqueInscribed memorial tablet
- inclusion bodiesProtein clumps within cells
toxicity · deposition · accumulation · tangles · tissue damage · organ failure · apoptosis · necrosis · inflammation
chaperones
Supervising companions for youth
- autophagyCellular self-degradation process
- lysosomeDigestive organelle in cells
- degradationDecline in condition
quality control · endoplasmic reticulum · stress response · sequestration · clearance