The Immunoproteasome in oxidative stress, aging, and disease

Abstract

The Immunoproteasome has traditionally been viewed primarily for its role in peptide production for antigen presentation by the major histocompatibility complex, which is critical for immunity. However, recent research has shown that the Immunoproteasome is also very important for the clearance of oxidatively damaged proteins in homeostasis, and especially during stress and disease. The importance of the Immunoproteasome in protein degradation has become more evident as diseases characterized by protein aggregates have also been linked to deficiencies of the Immunoproteasome. Additionally, there are now diseases defined by mutations or polymorphisms within Immunoproteasome-specific subunit genes, further suggesting its crucial role in cytokine signaling and protein homeostasis (or “proteostasis”). The purpose of this review is to highlight our growing understanding of the importance of the Immunoproteasome in the management of protein quality control, and the detrimental impact of its dysregulation during disease and aging.

Keywords:

• Adaptation
• IFN-γ
• IκBα
• Nrf2
• proteostasis
• 20S core

Disclosure statement

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of this article.

Funding information

This work was supported by the National Institutes of Environmental Health Sciences of the US National Institutes of Health to KJAD [Grant #ES 003598], and the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship to LCDP [Grant #DGE 1418060].