Prion Trafficking: Scrapie Mouse (IMAGE) PLOS Caption Prion protein, shown in red, can become infectious and cause neurodegenerative disease. Here four nerve cells in a mouse illustrate how infectious prion protein moves within cells along neurites -- wire-like connections the nerve cells use for communicating with adjacent cells. Credit NIAID, CC-BY Usage Restrictions None License Licensed content Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.