Proteasome activity and immunosenescence

Abstract

The proteasome is the main proteolytic system implicated in the removal of oxidatively damaged proteins, general turnover of intracellular proteins and targeted degradation of proteins that have been marked by poly-ubiquitination. Impairment of proteasome function has been associated with cellular aging in a variety of tissues and cell types including lymphocytes, and is believed to contribute to the age-related accumulation of oxidized proteins due to their decreased elimination by the proteasomal pathway. This chapter first summarizes the most relevant features of the proteasomal system and then expands on the current knowledge on the impact of aging on proteasome structure and function, taking in account the fate of proteasome upon oxidative stress situations. Finally, the possible implication of age-related alterations of the proteasomal system in the process of immunosenescence is presented.