What is necessary for the replication of a prion?

The abnormal protein: Doesn't replicate per se, it produces more of itself by changing the conformation (folding) of the normal cellular protein. These misfolded proteins then begin to agglutinated into plaques which can damage the nerve cell.

Like crystals: Proteins are reproduced by the complicated machinery of the cell: dna bleprint-->rna template-->amino acid string-->spontaneous folding to active conformation. Prions replicate themselves in a way similar to crystals: adjoining material gets lined up by electrostatic forces on the surface of the prion. Yet prions are very small proteins--and play a key role in normal memory.