Fig. 1.
A model for prion strain propagation and detection. PrPc (green cube) exists in equilibrium with a misfolded monomeric isoform (blue cross). The latter can assemble into structurally heterogeneous, yet highly ordered aggregated forms (upper vs. lower assemblies) that replicate differentially in select cell lines. A panel of such lines, as provided by Weissmann and colleagues, may form the basis for classifying prions. When stained with luminescent-conjugated thiophene polymers, PrPSc aggregates stemming from distinct prion strains fluoresce in different colors.