Proteasome subunit alpha type-2 (PSMA2)

Proteasome subunit alpha type-2 (PSMA2) is a 25.9 kDa protein encoded by the PSMA2 gene. It forms one of seven alpha subunits within the heptameric alpha ring at each end of the barrel-shaped 20S proteasome core. The primary role of PSMA2 is to help build and maintain the 20S proteasome structure, regulate substrate entry into the proteolytic chamber, and participate in complex assembly with regulatory particles (such as the 19S and 11S complexes) for protein degradation. The 20S proteasome is central to cellular protein homeostasis, targeting damaged, misfolded, or regulatory proteins for controlled degradation. It functions in cell cycle control, apoptosis, immune antigen presentation, and regulatory protein turnover. Dysregulation or mutation of proteasome subunits, including alpha type-2, is implicated in cancer, neurodegeneration, cardiovascular disease, and immune dysfunction—making the proteasome a validated therapeutic target, especially for proteasome inhibitor drugs in oncology[1][2][3][6].

Other names

Proteasome 20S subunit alpha 2Proteasome component C3Proteasome subunit HC3Proteasome subunit alpha-2HC3MUPMSA2PSC2Macropain subunit C3Multicatalytic endopeptidase complex subunit C3Alpha-2

Inhibition of proteasome catalytic activity, blocking degradation of ubiquitinated proteins Induction of apoptosis in cancer cells by causing accumulation of pro-apoptotic proteins Disruption of cell cycle and transcription factor regulation Sensitization of cancer cells to chemotherapy by preventing protein turnover