<prompt> What is the basic nature of Prion?DNARNAProteinPolysacchride  <response>: Prions are proteinaceous and infectious in nature. The cellular form of the prion protein PrPc is encoded by the hosts chromosomal DNA. PrPc is a sialoglycoprotein with a molecular weight of 33,000-35,000 and a high content of alpha helical secondary structure that is sensitive to proteases and soluble in detergent. PrPc is expressed on the surface of neurons a glycosylphosphatidyl inositol anchor in both infected and uninfected brains. Kuru, Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease CJD, Gerstmann-Straussler-Scheinker disease, and fatal familial insomnia are prion mediated diseases in humans. Ref: Jawetz, Melnick, Adelbergs Medical Microbiology, 25th Edition, Chapter 1 