Proteolytic pathway

The **proteolytic pathway** encompasses a network of regulated cellular systems responsible for the selective degradation of proteins. The two primary pathways are the ubiquitin-proteasome system, which targets short-lived and misfolded proteins for degradation via ubiquitination, and the autophagy-lysosome pathway, which oversees bulk degradation of proteins and organelles. Proteolytic pathways are vital for cellular homeostasis, regulation of the cell cycle, apoptosis, and the immune response. Dysregulation or malfunction of these pathways is implicated in numerous diseases, including cancer, neurodegenerative disorders, and immunopathologies. Therapeutics such as proteasome inhibitors and PROTACs target components of these pathways to induce the degradation of disease-related proteins, expanding druggability to previously inaccessible targets, but with notable safety and selectivity challenges[1][2][3][4][5][10].

Other names

Proteolysis pathwayProtein degradation pathwayProtein turnover pathway

Small molecule inhibition of proteasome activity Induction of target protein ubiquitination and degradation (PROTACs) Modulation of E3 ligase function Disruption of deubiquitination