کد مقاله | کد نشریه | سال انتشار | مقاله انگلیسی | نسخه تمام متن |
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2204915 | 1100842 | 2010 | 9 صفحه PDF | دانلود رایگان |
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.
Journal: - Volume 20, Issue 3, March 2010, Pages 125–133