Prions, misfolded conformers of the cellular prion protein, are the etiological agents of fatal transmissible spongiform encephalopathies in humans, deer, and other species, and display remarkable resistance to methods of inactivation that are effective against conventional pathogens. The rapid spread of chronic wasting disease (CWD), affecting members of the deer family, is enabled in part by environmental routes of transmission. Among the potential routes of environmental transmission of prion disease, the capacity of plants to function as vectors, has received little study. Here, we exposed several plant species, including some of agronomic importance, to prions in hydroponic systems and in soil and evaluated the accumulation of prions in roots and above-ground tissues. We discuss results of these experiments and their potential implications in wildlife management, agriculture, and public health.

Plants as potential vectors for environmental prion transmission: uptake and translocation by several plant species

ACS Fall 2021

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