A PEST sequence is a peptide sequence that is rich in proline (P), glutamic acid (E), serine (S), and threonine (T). This sequence is associated with proteins that have a short intracellular half-life; therefore, it is hypothesized that the PEST sequence acts as a signal peptide for protein degradation. [1]
This protein degradation may be mediated via the proteasome [2] [3] or calpain. [4]
Other signals thought to identify proteins for degradation include cyclin destruction boxes, which are amino acid sequences that mark cell-cycle proteins for destruction.
A degron is a portion of a protein that is important in regulation of protein degradation rates. Known degrons include short amino acid sequences, structural motifs and exposed amino acids located anywhere in the protein. In fact, some proteins can even contain multiple degrons. Degrons are present in a variety of organisms, from the N-degrons first characterized in yeast to the PEST sequence of mouse ornithine decarboxylase. Degrons have been identified in prokaryotes as well as eukaryotes. While there are many types of different degrons, and a high degree of variability even within these groups, degrons are all similar for their involvement in regulating the rate of a protein's degradation. Much like protein degradation mechanisms are categorized by their dependence or lack thereof on Ubiquitin, a small protein involved in proteasomal protein degradation, Degrons may also be referred to as “Ubiquitin-dependent" or “Ubiquitin-independent".
The SKI protein is a nuclear proto-oncogene that is associated with tumors at high cellular concentrations. SKI has been shown to interfere with normal cellular functioning by both directly impeding expression of certain genes inside the nucleus of the cell as well as disrupting signaling proteins that activate genes.
Matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) also known as interstitial collagenase and fibroblast collagenase is an enzyme that in humans is encoded by the MMP1 gene. The gene is part of a cluster of MMP genes which localize to chromosome 11q22.3. MMP-1 was the first vertebrate collagenase both purified to homogeneity as a protein, and cloned as a cDNA.
Fibroblast growth factor receptor 4 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the FGFR4 gene. FGFR4 has also been designated as CD334.
Mitogen-activated protein kinase 7 also known as MAP kinase 7 is an enzyme that in humans is encoded by the MAPK7 gene.
Low molecular weight phosphotyrosine protein phosphatase is an enzyme that in humans is encoded by the ACP1 gene.
Pyroglutamylated RFamide peptide receptor also known as orexigenic neuropeptide QRFP receptor or G-protein coupled receptor 103 (GPR103) is a protein that in humans is encoded by the QRFPR gene.
Calpain-1 catalytic subunit is a protein that in humans is encoded by the CAPN1 gene.
26S proteasome non-ATPase regulatory subunit 4, also as known as 26S Proteasome Regulatory Subunit Rpn10, is an enzyme that in humans is encoded by the PSMD4 gene. This protein is one of the 19 essential subunits that contributes to the complete assembly of 19S proteasome complex.
Tyrosine-protein phosphatase non-receptor type 12 is an enzyme that in humans is encoded by the PTPN12 gene.
26S proteasome non-ATPase regulatory subunit 2, also as known as 26S Proteasome Regulatory Subunit Rpn1, is an enzyme that in humans is encoded by the PSMD2 gene.
GIPC PDZ domain containing family, member 1 (GIPC1) is a protein that in humans is encoded by the GIPC1 gene. GIPC was originally identified as it binds specifically to the C terminus of RGS-GAIP, a protein involved in the regulation of G protein signaling. GIPC is an acronym for "GAIP Interacting Protein C-terminus". RGS proteins are "Regulators of G protein Signaling" and RGS-GAIP is a "GTPase Activator protein for Gαi/Gαq", which are two major subtypes of Gα proteins. The human GIPC1 molecule is 333 amino acids or about 36 kDa in molecular size and consists of a central PDZ domain, a compact protein module which mediates specific protein-protein interactions. The RGS-GAIP protein interacts with this domain and many other proteins interact here or at other parts of the GIPC1 molecule. As a result, GIPC1 was independently discovered by several other groups and has a variety of alternate names, including synectin, C19orf3, RGS19IP1 and others. The GIPC1 gene family in mammals consisting of three members, so the first discovered, originally named GIPC, is now generally called GIPC1, with the other two being named GIPC2 and GIPC3. The three human proteins are about 60% identical in protein sequence. GIPC1 has been shown to interact with a variety of other receptor and cytoskeletal proteins including the GLUT1 receptor, ACTN1, KIF1B, MYO6, PLEKHG5, SDC4/syndecan-4, SEMA4C/semaphorin-4 and HTLV-I Tax. The general function of GIPC family proteins therefore appears to be mediating specific interactions between proteins involved in G protein signaling and membrane translocation.
Golgi-associated PDZ and coiled-coil motif-containing protein is a protein that in humans is encoded by the GOPC gene.
Tyrosyl-tRNA synthetase, cytoplasmic, also known as Tyrosine-tRNA ligase, is an enzyme that in humans is encoded by the YARS gene.
Sorting nexin-9 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the SNX9 gene.
Triadin, also known as TRDN, is a human gene associated with the release of calcium ions from the sarcoplasmic reticulum triggering muscular contraction through calcium-induced calcium release. Triadin is a multiprotein family, arising from different processing of the TRDN gene on chromosome 6. It is a transmembrane protein on the sarcoplasmic reticulum due to a well defined hydrophobic section and it forms a quaternary complex with the cardiac ryanodine receptor (RYR2), calsequestrin (CASQ2) and junctin proteins. The luminal (inner compartment of the sarcoplasmic reticulum) section of Triadin has areas of highly charged amino acid residues that act as luminal Ca2+ receptors. Triadin is also able to sense luminal Ca2+ concentrations by mediating interactions between RYR2 and CASQ2. Triadin has several different forms; Trisk 95 and Trisk 51, which are expressed in skeletal muscle, and Trisk 32 (CT1), which is mainly expressed in cardiac muscle.
BAG family molecular chaperone regulator 2 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the BAG2 gene.
Large neutral amino acids transporter small subunit 2 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the SLC7A8 gene.
RF(Arg-Phe)amide family 26 amino acid peptide, also known as P518, is a human protein.
An Oligopeptidase is an enzyme that cleaves peptides but not proteins. This property is due to its structure: the active site of this enzyme is located at the end of a narrow cavity which can only be reached by peptides.