Ubiquitin Proteasome Drugs and Protein Quality Control
Protein quality control is essential for cell survival. Misfolded or damaged proteins can interfere with vital cellular functions if not removed promptly. The ubiquitin proteasome system acts as the primary cleanup machinery.
Ubiquitin proteasome drugs intentionally interfere with this system in targeted cells. By blocking protein disposal, they expose the vulnerability of diseased cells that depend heavily on constant protein turnover.
This strategy is particularly effective in cells experiencing high oxidative stress or genetic instability. Such cells generate defective proteins at accelerated rates, making them more sensitive to proteasome disruption.
By leveraging differences in protein quality control demands, these drugs achieve selective therapeutic effects.