Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 13, 2026

09:57
Examining Proteasome Assembly with Recombinant Archaeal Proteasomes and Nondenaturing PAGE: The Case for a Combined Approach
Published on: December 17, 2016
Assembly of the 20S proteasome
Mary J Kunjappu1, Mark Hochstrasser
1Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, Yale University, 266 Whitney Avenue P.O. Box 208114, New Haven, CT 06520-8114, USA.
Biochimica Et Biophysica Acta
|March 20, 2013
Summary
The proteasome
Area of Science:
- Cellular biology
- Molecular machinery
- Protein degradation
Background:
- The proteasome is a crucial cellular protease complex.
- It degrades most intracellular proteins, often tagged with ubiquitin.
- It consists of the 19S regulatory particle (RP) and 20S core particle (CP).
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the current understanding of 20S proteasome (CP) assembly.
- To highlight the role of dedicated assembly chaperones in CP formation.
- To discuss the regulation of chaperone-dependent CP assembly.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies on 20S proteasome assembly.
- Focus on chaperone involvement in subunit incorporation.
- Analysis of accessory factors aiding proteasome construction.
Main Results:
- The 20S proteasome (CP) has a conserved structure across life.
- While some subunits self-assemble, dedicated chaperones are essential for efficient assembly.
- At least three accessory factors facilitate the construction of the 20S proteasome.
Conclusions:
- Chaperone-dependent assembly is critical for the 20S proteasome.
- Understanding these assembly pathways is key to comprehending proteasome function.
- Regulation of these chaperones impacts proteasome biogenesis.
Related Concept Videos
The Proteasome Structure
The ubiquitin-proteasome pathway is a well-known mechanism utilized by eukaryotic cells to remove cytoplasmic proteins that are misfolded, damaged, or no longer needed. In this pathway, the protein that needs to be eliminated undergoes a process called ubiquitination, where a chain of ubiquitin molecules is attached to the 48th lysine residue of the target protein. This ubiquitin modification helps the proteasome distinguish between a target protein and a healthy protein.
The proteasome is an...
The proteasome is an...
Protein Complex Assembly
Proteins can form homomeric complexes with another unit of the same protein or heteromeric complexes with different types. Most protein complexes self-assemble spontaneously via ordered pathways, while some proteins need assembly factors that guide their proper assembly. Despite the crowded intracellular environment, proteins usually interact with their correct partners and form functional complexes.
Many viruses self-assemble into a fully functional unit using the infected host cell to...
Many viruses self-assemble into a fully functional unit using the infected host cell to...
Protein Complex Assembly
Proteins can form homomeric complexes with another unit of the same protein or heteromeric complexes with different types. Most protein complexes self-assemble spontaneously via ordered pathways, while some proteins need assembly factors that guide their proper assembly. Despite the crowded intracellular environment, proteins usually interact with their correct partners and form functional complexes.
Many viruses self-assemble into a fully functional unit using the infected host cell to...
Many viruses self-assemble into a fully functional unit using the infected host cell to...
The Proteasome
Eukaryotic cells can degrade proteins through several pathways. One of the most important amongst these is the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway. It helps the cell eliminate the misfolded, damaged, or unwarranted cytoplasmic proteins in a highly specific manner.
In this pathway, the target proteins are first tagged with small proteins called ubiquitin. A series of enzymes carry out the ubiquitination of the target proteins - E1 (ubiquitin-activating enzyme), E2 (ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme), and E3...
In this pathway, the target proteins are first tagged with small proteins called ubiquitin. A series of enzymes carry out the ubiquitination of the target proteins - E1 (ubiquitin-activating enzyme), E2 (ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme), and E3...
The Proteasome
Eukaryotic cells can degrade proteins through several pathways. One of the most important amongst these is the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway. It helps the cell eliminate the misfolded, damaged, or unwarranted cytoplasmic proteins in a highly specific manner.
In this pathway, the target proteins are first tagged with small proteins called ubiquitin. A series of enzymes carry out the ubiquitination of the target proteins - E1 (ubiquitin-activating enzyme), E2 (ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme), and E3...
In this pathway, the target proteins are first tagged with small proteins called ubiquitin. A series of enzymes carry out the ubiquitination of the target proteins - E1 (ubiquitin-activating enzyme), E2 (ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme), and E3...
The Proteasome
Eukaryotic cells can degrade proteins through several pathways. One of the most important among these is the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway. It helps the cell eliminate the misfolded, damaged, or unwarranted cytoplasmic proteins in a highly specific manner.
In this pathway, the target proteins are first tagged with small proteins called ubiquitin. This involves participation of a series of enzymes including— E1 (ubiquitin-activating enzyme), E2 (ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme), and E3 (ubiquitin...
In this pathway, the target proteins are first tagged with small proteins called ubiquitin. This involves participation of a series of enzymes including— E1 (ubiquitin-activating enzyme), E2 (ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme), and E3 (ubiquitin...

