How cells degrade aberrant membrane proteins
Friday, July 13, 2012 - 13:00
in Biology & Nature
Researchers have achieved unexpected insights into the process of how damaged proteins are degraded within cells. Their work focused on the function of a special protease. This enzyme can hydrolyze peptide bonds in the plane of cellular membranes, a site where such water-requiring reactions commonly do not occur. The scientists can now show that this unusual protease recognizes and degrades aberrant proteins directly in the membrane.