title: Molecular chaperones in protein folding and proteostasis.
abstract: Most proteins must fold into defined three-dimensional structures to gain functional activity. But in the cellular environment, newly synthesized proteins are at great risk of aberrant folding and aggregation, potentially forming toxic species. To avoid these dangers, cells invest in a complex network of molecular chaperones, which use ingenious mechanisms to prevent aggregation and promote efficient folding. Because protein molecules are highly dynamic, constant chaperone surveillance is required to ensure protein homeostasis (proteostasis). Recent advances suggest that an age-related decline in proteostasis capacity allows the manifestation of various protein-aggregation diseases, including Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease. Interventions in these and numerous other pathological states may spring from a detailed understanding of the pathways underlying proteome maintenance.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cellular Biochemistry, Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry, Am Klopferspitz 18, 82152 Martinsried, Germany. uhartl@biochem.mpg.de
authors.forename: F Ulrich
authors.initials: FU
authors.lastname: Hartl
authors.forename: Andreas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bracher
authors.forename: Manajit
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hayer-Hartl
mesh_terms: D000375:Aging; D000818:Animals; D004194:Disease; D006801:Humans; D018832:Molecular Chaperones / Q000145:classification / Q000378:metabolism*; D017510:Protein Folding; D011506:Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D020543:Proteome / Q000378:metabolism; D012270:Ribosomes / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D018832:Molecular Chaperones; D011506:Proteins; D020543:Proteome