The mechanisms of humic substances self-assembly with biological molecules: The case study of the prion protein.

ABSTRACT: Humic substances (HS) are the largest constituent of soil organic matter and are considered as a key component of the terrestrial ecosystem. HS may facilitate the transport of organic and inorganic molecules, as well as the sorption interactions with environmentally relevant proteins such as prions. Prions enter the environment through shedding from live hosts, facilitating a sustained incidence of animal prion diseases such as Chronic Wasting Disease and scrapie in cervid and ovine populations, respectively. Changes in prion structure upon environmental exposure may be significant as they can affect prion infectivity and disease pathology. Despite its relevance, the mechanisms of prion interaction with HS are still not completely understood. The goal of this work is to advance a structura

SUBMITTER: Giachin G 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5697873 | biostudies-literature | 2017

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature