Proteasome 20S subunit beta 2 (PSMB2)

Proteasome 20S subunit beta 2 (PSMB2) is a non-catalytic component of the 20S core proteasome complex, which is essential for the ATP/ubiquitin-dependent degradation of intracellular proteins as part of the protein quality control machinery in eukaryotic cells. PSMB2, along with other beta subunits, forms part of the proteolytic chamber necessary for regulated protein degradation, influencing fundamental processes such as cell cycle, signal transduction, immune responses through MHC class I antigen processing, and apoptosis. Dysfunction of the proteasome or its subunits, including PSMB2, is implicated in cancer, neurodegenerative disorders, cardiovascular and inflammatory diseases, and autoimmune syndromes. PSMB2 serves as a validated therapeutic target due to the efficacy of proteasome inhibitors in multiple myeloma and other malignancies, though these inhibitors target the enzyme complex as a whole rather than individual subunits. The protein is also used as a biomarker in certain settings, such as for normalization in transcriptome studies of lung diseases.

Other names

Proteasome subunit beta type-2Proteasome subunit beta-4Proteasome component C7-IMulticatalytic endopeptidase complex subunit C7-IHC7-IMacropain subunit C7-IProteasome (prosome, macropain) subunit, beta type, 2Proteasome subunit beta 2Proteasome subunit beta4Testicular tissue protein Li 152

Inhibition of proteasome activity (prevents proteolytic degradation of ubiquitinated proteins), leading to accumulation of misfolded/damaged proteins, altered signaling, and apoptosis (especially in cancer cells)