The prion pseudoknot is predicted RNA pseudoknot structure found in prion protein mRNA.[1] It has been suggested that this element has a possible effect in prion protein translation.[2] The human prion protein gene contains 5 copies of a 24 nucleotide repeat that contains this structure.[2] The number of nucleotide repeats found in an organism may vary from one organism to another. Each species has a set number of nucleotide repeats, but when the organism deviates from this number, mutations in the prion genes may arise.[2] Human individuals that exhibit these mutations may be prone to developing prion diseases, such as Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease.[2]
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