Proteostasis and Proteolysis

Book excerpt: Proteostasis integrates biological pathways controlling biogenesis, trafficking, folding, and degradation of proteins. Essential aspects of cell function are proeostasic and relevant for diseases such a cancer, obesity, and aging. Various pharmacological interventions can mitigate the impact of proteostatic breakdown. This book focuses on two protein breakdown/degradation processes (proteolysis), which are part of a normally functioning proteostatic system : the ubiquitin-proteasome system and autophagy. These systems and their regulation are affected by endogenous stress and environmental stimuli. Deregulation in proteolysis results in proteostasis failure : protein misfolding and accumulation of damaged and oxidized proteins resulting in neurodegenerative diseases such Alzheimer's, parkinson's, and Huntington's.