The 26S proteasome is a large multi-subunit complex responsible for the ATP-dependent
degradation of ubiquitylated proteins, a critical process for signal transduction and regulation of
transcription and receptor function. In cancer, deregulation of this process may contribute to progression,
drug resistance and altered immune surveillance. Proteasome inhibition (PI) cause cellular apoptosis by
affecting levels of short-lived proteins, by inhibition of NFκB activity and increased activity of p53, Bax
and cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors p27 and p21. Preclinical studies showed that malignant cells are
more susceptible to PI than normal cells. Although a concrete explanation for this selectivity is not available
yet, one possibility is that sensitivity is linked to proliferation and/or deregulated cell cycle progression.
Numerous proteasome inhibitors have been developed and the first approved, bortezomib is a boronic acid
dipeptide that binds directly to the 20S proteasome and blocks its enzymatic activity.
Keywords: 26S proteasome , NFκB activity , 20S proteasome, Protein Degradation , Cellular Homeostasis,
Intracellular Proteolysis, Lysosome Pathway, Ubiquitin-Proteasome System, Mammalian Proteasome,
Multiple Myeloma , Bortezomib.
