Proteolysis pathway

The proteolysis pathway encompasses the cellular mechanisms responsible for degrading proteins into peptides or amino acids, primarily through the action of enzymes called proteases. This process is fundamental for maintaining protein homeostasis, regulating gene expression, and removing misfolded or damaged proteins. Key cellular machinery includes the ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) for targeted degradation of cytosolic/nuclear proteins and lysosomal pathways for bulk and extracellular protein breakdown. Therapeutically, drug development increasingly focuses on modulating these processes, either by inhibiting protein degradation (e.g., with proteasome inhibitors for cancer) or by inducing selective degradation of pathogenic proteins (using PROTACs, LYTACs, and molecular glues). Dysregulation of proteolysis underlies pathologies such as cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, and immune disorders. The pathway itself is not a single drug target, but critical enzymes or complexes within it are viable therapeutic targets.

Other names

protein degradation pathwayprotein catabolismprotein breakdownprotein turnover processes

Inhibition of proteasome activity (blocking protein degradation); Targeted protein degradation (inducing selective destruction of disease-causing proteins, e.g., via PROTACs); Modulation of ubiquitination or deubiquitination enzymes