How do prions propagate and replicate themselves?

Prions propagate and replicate through a process of protein misfolding. When a prion interacts with a normal prion protein (PrP^C), it induces a conformational change, converting the normal protein into the misfolded prion form (PrP^Sc). This newly formed prion can then induce further misfolding of other normal prion proteins. This chain reaction results in the amplification of the prion population, leading to the accumulation of prion proteins in the brain and causing neurodegenerative damage. The replication process does not involve nucleic acids, distinguishing it from the replication mechanisms of other infectious agents.