The proteasome and the degradation of oxidized proteins: Part I—structure of proteasomes

The main machinery responsible for cellular protein maintenance is the ubiquitin-proteasomal system, with its core particle the 20S proteasome. The main task of the system is a fast and efficient degradation of proteins not needed anymore in cellular metabolism. For this aim a complex system of regulators evolved, modifying the function of the 20S core proteasome. Here we summarize shortly the structure of the 20S proteasome as well as its associated regulator proteins.

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► Form and function of the 20S proteasome are described.
► Comparison between Archaeal and eukaryotic 20S proteasome are pointed out.
► Structure and function of proteasomal regulators are highlighted.