"Normal" Prions May Protect Myelin

thomst writes "Nature Neuroscience just published an online article about the function of 'normal' prions in protecting myelin, the substance that sheathes and protects sensory and motor nerves. The international study (which has 11 authors) concluded that 'normal' (i.e., not mis-folded) prions may form a protective coat around myelin. The researchers found that Prnp -/- mice (mice with the gene for prions knocked out) consistently developed progressive demyelination, inevitably leading to persistent polyneuropathy by 60 weeks of age. Their data suggest that damage to myelin sheaths cause normal prions to cleave, and the resulting prion fragments activate Schwann cells, which are known to play a part in myelin repair. This research might eventually lead to possible treatments for progressive polyneuropathies in humans, including those mediated by Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer's, and even diabetes."

Comments

Re:Parent is a racist, mod down forever

[girlintraining]

I'm surprised you're still posting after that racist tirade about Haiti you posted.

That word, I do not think it means what you think it means. Saying that humanity as a whole is filled with dumb, irrational, self-centered individuals isn't racist.

Really, you're disgusting, and I intend to make sure you're outed as a racist every time I see you.

Well, if you're going to "out" me, could you at least do me (and everyone else) a favor and link to a post that actually contains a racist comment?

Thanks, timmarhy. ;)

Re:Parent is a racist, mod down forever

[Cryacin]

Have I missed something? I looked at your link Mr. AC, and I see no racist remarks? I see cultural observations, but if you're going to pull the racist card, I'd think that the other party involved was closer to being racist than girlintraining.

Oh wait, you didn't expect anyone to read the comment and just go by your accusation? Right. Everything clear now.

Re:Prions

[girlintraining]

For what it's worth, your post should be modded interesting at the very least, if only to annoy that AC stalker you seem to have acquired.

I'll depart from my busy schedule of lesbianism and witchcraft to field this one. ;)

He's part of a growing fan club of emotionally under-developed males unaccustomed to having girls in their internet man cave, let alone a gay one. The community outwardly states they aren't sexist. They're smart, well-educated, (generally) white men, and so overt displays of sexism are met with open contempt. This is why they moderate most of the posts by "the fan club" down. But then they moderate my posts down because I attract them. They think it's at least partly my fault because my presence provokes them. And in that little microcosm of human behavior, is the reason sexism, racism, homophobia, and most human prejudice is allowed to endure.