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Prefoldin Function in Cellular Protein Homeostasis and Human Diseases
Ismail Tahmaz1, Somayeh Shahmoradi Ghahe1, Ulrike Topf1
1Laboratory of Molecular Basis of Aging and Rejuvenation, Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland.
Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology
|February 3, 2022
Summary
Prefoldin, a molecular chaperone, assists protein folding and cellular proteostasis. Recent studies reveal its non-canonical roles in gene regulation and disease, expanding its known functions beyond protein folding.
Area of Science:
- Cellular Biology
- Molecular Biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Cellular functions depend on proteins; defects cause disease.
- Molecular chaperones maintain proteome integrity.
- Prefoldin is a co-chaperone with a known role in protein folding.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the canonical and non-canonical functions of prefoldin.
- To highlight prefoldin's role in maintaining protein homeostasis.
- To discuss prefoldin's involvement in various diseases.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of recent research on prefoldin.
- Analysis of prefoldin's role in protein folding and degradation.
- Examination of prefoldin's involvement in cellular regulation and disease.
Main Results:
- Prefoldin facilitates cytoskeletal protein folding via TRiC/CCT.
- Non-canonical functions of prefoldin and its subunits are identified.
- Prefoldin impacts transcription and proteasomal degradation.
Conclusions:
- Prefoldin plays a broader role in proteostasis than previously known.
- Prefoldin subunits have distinct non-canonical functions.
- Prefoldin is implicated in neurological diseases, cancer, and infections.
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