Document Detail


Prions, protein homeostasis, and phenotypic diversity.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  20071174     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
Prions are fascinating but often misunderstood protein aggregation phenomena. The traditional association of the mammalian prion protein with disease has overshadowed a potentially more interesting attribute of prions: their ability to create protein-based molecular memories. In fungi, prions alter the relationship between genotype and phenotype in a heritable way that diversifies clonal populations. Recent findings in yeast indicate that prions might be much more common than previously realized. Moreover, prion-driven phenotypic diversity increases under stress, and can be amplified by the dynamic maturation of prion-initiating states. In this article, we suggest that these qualities allow prions to act as 'bet-hedging' devices that facilitate the adaptation of yeasts to stressful environments, and might speed the evolution of new traits.
Authors:
Randal Halfmann; Simon Alberti; Susan Lindquist
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Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't; Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.     Date:  2010-01-12
Journal Detail:
Title:  Trends in cell biology     Volume:  20     ISSN:  1879-3088     ISO Abbreviation:  Trends Cell Biol.     Publication Date:  2010 Mar 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2010-03-02     Completed Date:  2010-06-03     Revised Date:  2013-05-31    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  9200566     Medline TA:  Trends Cell Biol     Country:  England    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  125-33     Citation Subset:  IM    
Affiliation:
Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, Cambridge, MA, USA.
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MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Epigenesis, Genetic / physiology
Gene Expression Regulation, Fungal
Glutathione Peroxidase / physiology
Homeostasis / genetics
Phenotype*
Prions / genetics*,  physiology
Protein Conformation
Saccharomyces cerevisiae / genetics*,  metabolism
Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins / genetics,  metabolism,  physiology
Grant Support
ID/Acronym/Agency:
R01 GM025874-30/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS; //Howard Hughes Medical Institute
Chemical
Reg. No./Substance:
0/Prions; 0/Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins; EC 1.11.1.9/Glutathione Peroxidase; EC 1.11.1.9/URE2 protein, S cerevisiae
Comments/Corrections

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