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Assays for the Degradation of Misfolded Proteins in Cells
Published on: August 28, 2016
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Garbage on, garbage off: new insights into plasma membrane protein quality control
1Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232-8240, USA.
Current Opinion in Cell Biology
|June 9, 2014
Summary
Cells maintain protein quality by fixing or degrading misfolded proteins. New research reveals how the plasma membrane (PM) specifically handles misfolded PM proteins through endocytic trafficking and lysosomal degradation.
Area of Science:
- Cellular Biology
- Molecular Biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Cellular protein quality control is essential for cell function.
- Cells employ organelle-specific mechanisms to manage misfolded proteins.
- Understanding protein quality control at the plasma membrane is an emerging area of research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent advancements in understanding plasma membrane (PM) protein quality control.
- To connect PM-specific quality control to broader cellular protein quality strategies.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of recent publications on PM protein quality control.
- Discussion of endocytic trafficking and lysosomal degradation pathways.
Main Results:
- Emerging evidence highlights specific quality control mechanisms at the plasma membrane.
- These mechanisms involve recognition of misfolded PM proteins.
- Targeting involves endocytic trafficking and subsequent lysosomal degradation.
Conclusions:
- Plasma membrane protein quality control is a specialized cellular process.
- This process integrates with global cellular strategies for protein homeostasis.
- Further research is needed to fully elucidate these mechanisms.
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