The Proteostasis Network is the intricate, interconnected cellular machinery responsible for maintaining the health, concentration, and spatial organization of the entire proteome—the complete set of proteins expressed by an organism. This essential network encompasses the pathways for protein synthesis, folding, trafficking, and degradation, ensuring that all cellular proteins are correctly structured and functional. Its decline is a fundamental driver of cellular senescence and age-related disease.
Origin
The term is a blend of “protein” and “homeostasis,” first coined in cellular biology and molecular gerontology to describe the continuous process of maintaining protein quality control. It recognizes that a healthy cell must not only create new proteins but also actively manage and clear misfolded or damaged ones. This concept is a cornerstone of research into aging and proteotoxicity.
Mechanism
The network’s mechanism relies on a tightly regulated interplay between molecular chaperones, which assist in correct protein folding, and the ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) and autophagy-lysosome pathway, which mediate targeted protein degradation. Hormones and cellular stress signals, such as heat shock factor 1 (HSF1), act as master regulators, adjusting the capacity of the network in response to environmental or metabolic demands, thereby preventing the accumulation of toxic protein aggregates.
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