“…In the last decade a diverse range of functions has been attributed to the native PrP C protein, such as neuroprotection against cellular and systemic insults, neuritogenesis, neuronal plasticity and excitability, and memory formation and consolidation (21)(22)(23)(24)(25)(26)(27)(28)(29)(30)(31)(32)(33). Noteworthy, PrP C mutations associated to CJD, fatal familial insomnia, and Gerstmann-Straussler-Scheinker disease decrease or abolish the anti-bax function in primary human neurons and breast cancer cell lines promoting programmed cell death (34).…”