Regulation and quality control by Lon-dependent proteolysis
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Updated: Jun 20, 2026

Reporter-based Growth Assay for Systematic Analysis of Protein Degradation
Published on: November 6, 2014
Laurence Van Melderen1, Abram Aertsen
1Génétique et Physiologie Bactérienne, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Faculté des Sciences, IBMM-DBM, 12 Rue des Professeurs Jeneer et Brachet, B-6041 Gosselies, Belgium. lvmelder@ulb.ac.be
Abstract:
After their first discovery in Escherichia coli, Lon homologues were found to be widely distributed among prokaryotes to eukaryotes. The ATP-dependent Lon protease belongs to the AAA(+) (ATPases associated with a variety of cellular activities) superfamily, and is involved in both general quality control by degrading abnormal proteins and in the specific control of several regulatory proteins. As such, this enzyme has a pivotal role in quality control and cellular physiology. This review focuses on mechanisms of degradation both from the protease and substrate points of view, and discusses the role of Lon in global regulation, stress response and virulence.
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