Self and non-self discrimination by "restriction proteases".
I propose that an organism possesses a set of specific enzymes ("restriction proteases") that cleave self proteins at defined amino acid sequences unless these sequences are rendered inaccessible by glycosylation. Intracellular proteins are degraded by restriction proteases when cells die. In this way, intracellular proteins remain undetected by the immune system. I propose that some autoimmune diseases are caused by the absence of a specific restriction protease.
Lefkovits
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D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology; D002451:Cell Compartmentation; D000939:Epitopes; D006023:Glycoproteins / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D010447:Peptide Hydrolases / Q000502:physiology*; D011506:Proteins / Q000276:immunology*
D000939:Epitopes; D006023:Glycoproteins; D011506:Proteins; D010447:Peptide Hydrolases