Nucleic acid sensor molecules (allozymes, allosteric ribozymes, allosteric DNAzymes), aptamers and methods are provided for the detection and quantitation of infectious prion proteins (PrP-Sc), prion associated proteins and peptides (prionin, Protein X) and antibodies thereof, which are indicative of transmissible spongioform encephalopathies (TSEs). Also provided are kits for detection. The nucleic acid sensor molecules, methods and kits provided herein can be used in diagnositic applications for detecting proteins and antibodies associated with animal TSEs such as scrapie in sheep and goats, bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) in cattle, chronic wasting disease (CWD) in mule deer and elk, transmissible mink encephalopathy (TME) in mink, feline spongiform encephalopathy (FSE) in cats, and human TSE related conditions, including Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD); Gerstmann-Straussler-Scheinker Syndrome (GSS); Fatal Familial Insomnia (FFI); Alper's Syndrome, and Kuru.
Detection of infectious prion proteins and associated antibodies using nucleic acid sensor molecules