Proteolysis within the cardiac sarcomere is a constantly evolving area of research. Three major pathways of proteolysis have been identified as being active within the cardiac sarcomere, namely the ubiquitin-proteasome system, autophagy, and the calpain system. The role of ubiquitin-proteasome system-mediated proteolysis in cardiovascular health and disease has been known for some time; however...

A standard diet was supplemented with ammonium acetate (20%, w/w). The effect on liver protein degradation of oral administration of the ammonium diet to rats for 6 weeks has been studied. It is shown that lysosomal proteolysis is markedly decreased (by 62%) while non-lysosomal proteolysis is inhibited by 11%. This is the first report showing that ammonium ingestion inhibits liver proteolysis.

1. Hepatocytes were isolated by collagenase perfusion of livers from fed rats and established in stationary monolayer culture. 2. Degradation of intracellular protein was measured in these monolayers after labelling for 16h with [3H]leucine followed by a 3h chase period in medium containing 2mM-leucine. 3. Proteolysis in this system was stimulated by physiological concentrations of glucagon and...

Proteomics will contribute greatly to the understanding of gene functions in the post-genomic era. In proteome research, protein digestion is a key procedure prior to mass spectrometry identification. During the past decade, a variety of electromagnetic waves have been employed to accelerate proteolysis. This review focuses on the recent advances and the key strategies of these novel proteolysi...

Mutant huntingtin proteolysis mediated by various proteases plays a key role in Huntington's disease (HD) pathogenesis. In this issue of Neuron, Miller et al. have identified 11 proteases, including matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), that when inhibited reduce huntingtin proteolysis and produce beneficial therapeutic effects. These findings provide new insights into huntingtin proteolysis and it...