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Updated: May 27, 2025

Investigating the Spreading and Toxicity of Prion-like Proteins Using the Metazoan Model Organism C. elegans
Published on: January 8, 2015
Molecular mechanisms and pathological implications of unconventional protein secretion in human disease: from
Yukun Liu1, Haolin Zhang1, Xianghua Li1
1College of Chemistry and Life Science, Beijing University of Technology, 100 Pingleyuan, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100124, China.
Abstract:
Unconventional protein secretion (UcPS) encompasses diverse non-canonical cellular export mechanisms that operate independently of the classical secretory pathway, representing a crucial cellular response to various physiological and pathological conditions. This comprehensive review synthesizes current understanding of UcPS mechanisms, particularly focusing on their roles in disease pathogenesis and progression. Recent advances in proteomics and cellular biology have revealed that UcPS facilitates the secretion of various biomedically significant proteins, including inflammatory mediators, growth factors, and disease-associated proteins, through multiple pathways such as membrane translocation, secretory lysosomes, and membrane-bound organelles. Notably, dysregulation of UcPS mechanisms has been implicated in various pathological conditions, including chronic inflammation, neurodegenerative disorders, and malignant transformation. We critically evaluate the molecular machinery governing UcPS, its regulation under cellular stress, and its contribution to disease mechanisms. Furthermore, we examine emerging therapeutic strategies targeting UcPS pathways, highlighting both opportunities and challenges in developing novel interventional approaches.
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