Prions consist only of what molecules?

Prions are infectious agents that are composed solely of proteins. Unlike viruses, bacteria, or other pathogens that contain nucleic acids (such as DNA or RNA), prions lack any genetic material. This unique characteristic is key to their mode of pathology. Prions cause neurodegenerative diseases by inducing a conformational change in normal proteins within the host, leading to abnormal folding and aggregation of proteins in the brain.

Understanding the composition of prions is crucial in the study of various diseases, such as Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, where the misfolded proteins accumulate and result in severe neurological damage. Because prions do not contain carbohydrates, lipids, or nucleic acids, their pathogenesis operates solely through protein-to-protein interactions and misfolding, highlighting their distinct nature among infectious agents.