Subviral Agents Prions

For a review of the situation, an article by Jonathan V. Wright, M.D., in the May 2004 issue of the Townsend Letter for Doctors Patients spells out the role of vitamin D in preventing a number of illnesses. He argues that its insufficiency has resulted in a dramatic increase in these illnesses. It is titled Vitamin D Its Role in Autoimmune Diseases and Hypertension, and cites the work of Michael Holick, M.D., Ph.D., of Boston University. For our purposes, we note that the prevalence 

In this same letter Martin notes the immunosuppressive effect of polyunsaturated fats, as addressed in his letter appearing in the August 2002 issue of the Townsend Letter for Doctors Patients. He cites Dr. Newshohne of the University of Oxford as to how polyunsaturated fats act against autoimmune diseases, of which MS is one. A treatment protocol is described using 1 g of fish oil per day (or maybe more, up to 12 g per day). Sunflower seed oil, which is an omega-6 fat, or fatty acid, is said to act similarly, whereas fish oil is an omega-3 fat. 

However, Martin raises the question that if the polyunsaturated fats are immunosuppressive, can they also be a cause of cancer  

it had been theorized by Francis Crick — who with James Watson had discovered the DNA double helix — that the sequence of about 3 billion nucleotides in human DNA were necessary and sufficient, absolutely and exclusively, to identify and enumerate all the genes in (he human body. In further explanation, if that is the word, DNA (or deoxyribonucleic add) is the molecular agent of inheritance, and is an extremely long linear molecule composed of four kinds of nucleotides, which occur in a particular order within each gene. The molecule, however, is tightly coiled within each cell s nucleus. Segments of DNA form the genes, which in turn uniquely determine our individual inherited characteristics, or traits. 

Moreover, in the living cell, replication of the gene s nucleotide sequence requires the assistance of speciahzed proteins called chaperones, which determine the way that the newly created protein molecule is folded in a three-dimensional sense. This affects the enzymatic action for such traits as creating eye color. However, some proteins may become misfolded, and remain inactive unless a special chaperone protein folds them. 

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However, in a section on subviral pathogens, it is commented that our ideas about infectious agents are still evolving (Voet and Voet, 1995, p. 1113ff). Thus, two types of subviral agents have been discovered that cause infectious diseases. One is the viroid, composed of a small single-stranded RNA molecule. The other is the prion, which is apparently only a protein molecule. 

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