S tructure and Function Analysis of the Protein Degradation

Scientific background The proteasome is a 2.5 MDa molecular machine which catalyzes protein degradation. It is the central enzyme of the ubiquitin pathway of protein degradation. This pathway is central to an incredible multitude of processes and is involved in a wide range of biological aspects, including degradation of improperly or unfolded proteins, activation of the immune system, regulation of cell cycle progression, receptor-mediated endocytosis and signal transduction (Coux et al, 1996; Gonzalez et al, 2002; Pickart & Cohen, 2004; Szutorisz et al, 2006; Voges et al, 1999).