misfold
verb
mis·fold
| \ ˌmis-ˈfōld
\
\
misfolded;
misfolding;
misfolds
Definition of misfold
of a protein
: to fold into an incorrect three-dimensional shape that is typically nonfunctional and often resistant to breakdown
Prions force proteins to misfold throughout the nervous system and bone marrow, eventually ravaging the brain and crippling the afflicted cow.— Cathy Booth Thomas
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Other Words from misfold
misfolded
\ ˌmis-ˈfōl-dəd
\
adjective
\
adjective
Scientists have identified a handful of diseases caused by misfolded proteins called prions …
— Nathan Seppa
Examples of misfold in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease is a rare brain disorder caused by misfolding brain proteins called prions. — Avery Thompson, Popular Mechanics, "A Man Contracted a Rare, Fatal Disease From Eating Squirrel Brains," 17 Oct. 2018 The scientists used a technique called protein misfolding cyclic amplification (PMCA) to test for the presence of CWD prions in soil and water taken from mineral licks in south-central Wisconsin. — Paul A. Smith, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "UW researchers verify chronic wasting disease prions at mineral lick sites," 2 May 2018 Sometime in the next year, Gandy’s team hopes to have the tau-positive patients from its imaging study participate in a small clinical trial of a new medication that has shown the ability to repair and clear out misfolded tau in animals. — Patrick Hruby, The Atlantic, "The Future of Detecting Brain Damage in Football," 21 Sep. 2017 But prions are misfolded in sections, taking on a flat shape rather than the normal spiraling pattern. — Mark Johnson, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "In tracking a lethal family of diseases that threatens humans and animals, scientists have become the hunters," 6 July 2017 In which book was a puffy, misfolded map found on a workbench? — Andrea Mills, Orange County Register, "In Our Schools: Officials help school children read with America," 8 Mar. 2017These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'misfold.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for misfold
misfold
intransitive verb
mis·fold
| \ ˌmis-ˈfōld
\
\
misfolded;
misfolding
Medical Definition of misfold
of a protein
: to fold into an incorrect three-dimensional shape that is typically nonfunctional and often resistant to breakdown
The abnormal prions induce normal prion proteins to misfold, and eventually the brain develops spongelike holes.— Bette Hileman