Figure 1.

Role of chaperones in the propagation of the Sup35 prion. (A) Polymer fragmentation and propagon formation at the normal levels of Hsp104, Hsp70, and Hsp40 proteins. (B) Impairment of prion propagation in the absence of Hsp104. (C) Impairment of prion propagation at high levels of Hsp104 (two models are shown). (Red square) Sup35N (PrD) in prion form; (red line) Sup35M linker and Sup35N in a misfolded intermediate form; (red spiral line) Sup35NM region in a nonprion form; (red circle) globular Sup35C domain.