Neurodegenerative diseases are characterized by the formation of protein aggregates, misfolded proteins that encourage other molecules of the same protein to also misfold in the same way, forming solid deposits that damage and destroy brain cells. Researchers here suggest that the age-related decline in proteasomal function is a contributing factor. The proteasome is a structure that breaks down damaged or otherwise unwanted proteins in cells. While this form of cellular housekeeping does…
Proteasomal Failure as a Contributing Cause of Protein Aggregation in Neurodegenerative Disease
Neurodegenerative diseases are characterized by the formation of protein aggregates, misfolded proteins that encourage other molecules of the same protein to also misfold in the same way, forming solid deposits that damage and destroy brain cells. Researchers here suggest that the age-related decline in proteasomal function is a contributing factor. The proteasome is a structure that breaks down damaged or otherwise unwanted proteins in cells. While this form of cellular housekeeping does…