L1 - Intro to Proteostasis and Autophagy Pathway Flashcards
Why is studying proteins so important? (2)
1) Make up most of dry mass of cell
2) Proteins mediate pretty much all essential process of the cell (DNA replication, protein synthesis, mediate processes, communications)
What is a proteome?
the entire set of all proteins that are expressed by a genome, cell, or organism at a certain time
Why is the proteome described as dynamic?
levels and states of the proteins in the cell changes depending on the external and internal environments
How does protein levels change within the cell? (4)
1) transcription regulation
2) protein synthesis
3) protein breakdown
4) protein folding
What could happen when the cell fails to achieve proteostasis?
can lead to lots of complications in the cellular environment and lead to diseases
1) Parkinson’s disease
2) Alzheimer’s disease
3) cystic fibrosis
How does the cell achieve proteostasis?
cell has a network of machineries to control protein folding, breakdown and recycling
What are the 3 major arms for maintaining proteostasis?
1) translation initial factors
2) molecular chaperones
3) recycling/breakdown systems
How does translation initiations factors help with proteostasis?
ensures that there is efficient translation to make more polypeptides
How do molecular chaperones help with proteostasis?
ensures that proteins can adopt their native structure to perform its physiological function
How do recycling and breakdown systems help with proteostasis?
dispose misfolded proteins, protein aggregates and aged proteins
Why do we need a recycling /junk removal system for proteins? (3)
1) get rid of misfolded proteins- protein folding is complex and mistakes are bound to happen
2) get rid of aged proteins - proteins half-lives and don’t last forever
3) metabolic control - AA control affects cells metabolic rate and whether or not it divides
How might the protein
degradation and recycling system be viewed as a double-edged sword?
- can breakdown proteins that are still needed
- might result in waste of energy
What are the two major protein degradation systems in the cell?
1) ubiquitin-proteasome system
2) autophagy-lysosome system
What is ubiquitin?
small protein involved in the ubiquitin-proteasome system for protein degradation
How does ubiquitin work?
modifies protein post-translation
What kind of bond links ubiquitin to another protein?
covalent attachment via a system involving E1, E2, and E3
How big is ubiquitin?
8.6 kDa
What kind of system is ubiquitin linked to a protein?
ubiquitin-proteasome system
What are the steps of ubiquitination?
1) E1 activates ubiquitin (formation of thioester linkage between C-term of ubiquitin and E1 active site Cys)
2) ubiquitin transferred to E2 (formation of thioester linkage with E2 active site Cys)
3) ubiquitin transferred from E2 enzyme to Lys of substrate via E3
How many ubiquitin molecules are added onto a protein?
depends, can be just one or multiple
What is the fate of ubiquitinated proteins?
Many different fates (ex: autophagy, proteolysis, ribosomal activity, DNA repair, etc)