Authors: Ajay Singh, Qingzhong Kong, Xiu Luo, Robert B. Petersen, Howard Meyerson, Neena Singh
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0006115
Abstract Summary
New research reveals the prion protein’s crucial role in iron regulation. Mice lacking this protein show disrupted iron transport from gut to bloodstream, impaired red blood cell production, and reduced iron in major organs. Restoring the protein reverses these defects, suggesting prion diseases may cause brain damage through iron imbalance when the protein misfolds.
Why Brain? ðŸ§
Prion protein regulates iron metabolism throughout the body. Knockout mice show impaired iron absorption and transport, causing systemic iron deficiency reversible by restoring normal prion protein expression.
The image is AI-generated for illustrative purposes only. Courtesy of Midjourney.
