Meaning
A self-propagating misfolded conformer of a protein that is responsible for a number of diseases that affect the brain and other neural tissue.
Etymology
Origin: Unknown
From (a reordering of) the initial letters of proteinaceous infectious particle. Coined by American neurologist and biochemist Stanley B. Prusiner in 1982.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
pachyptile
NYT Puzzle Appearances
Accepted in 4 recorded puzzles: