Virtuelle (Nano) Welten PDB Molecule of the Month 101: Prions

Prion Fibrils

In the misfolded state, prions form a tough fibril. A first look at one of these fibrils is available in PDB entry 2rnm, which includes part of the fungal HET-s protein. Six protein chains are included in the PDB file, stacked to form a long solenoidal structure. Hydrophobic amino acids (in white) are packed inside a triangular pocket, stabilizing the whole structure.

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