Spatial mechanisms of quality control during chaperone-mediated assembly of the proteasome

Abstract Cellular protein degradation requires a complex molecular machine, the proteasome. To mitigate the fundamental challenge of assembling the 66-subunit proteasome, cells utilize dedicated chaperones to order subunit addition. However, recent evidence suggests that proteasome assembly is not s...

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Main Authors: Eshita Das, Linh Le, Vladyslava Sokolova, James D. Orth, Soyeon Park
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-04-01
Series:Nature Communications
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-58703-8
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author Eshita Das
Linh Le
Vladyslava Sokolova
James D. Orth
Soyeon Park
author_facet Eshita Das
Linh Le
Vladyslava Sokolova
James D. Orth
Soyeon Park
author_sort Eshita Das
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Cellular protein degradation requires a complex molecular machine, the proteasome. To mitigate the fundamental challenge of assembling the 66-subunit proteasome, cells utilize dedicated chaperones to order subunit addition. However, recent evidence suggests that proteasome assembly is not simply a series of subunit additions, but each step may be scrutinized so that only correct assembly events advance to proteasomes. Here, we find an unexpected mechanism of quality control (QC) during proteasome assembly—via the proteasomal nuclear localization signal (NLS). This mechanism specifically sequesters defective assembly intermediates to the nucleus, away from ongoing assembly in the cytoplasm, thereby antagonizing defective proteasome formation. This NLS, a bona fide proteasomal component, provides continuous surveillance throughout proteasome assembly. Even a single incorrect event activates spatial QC. Our findings illuminate a two-decade-old mystery in proteasome regulation; proteasomal NLSs, dispensable for proteasome localization, instead provide QC by compartmentalizing assembly defects to ensure that only correct proteasomes form.
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spelling doaj-art-76d4b87f1a6948b9b46e6928b188540d2025-08-20T02:17:13ZengNature PortfolioNature Communications2041-17232025-04-0116111710.1038/s41467-025-58703-8Spatial mechanisms of quality control during chaperone-mediated assembly of the proteasomeEshita Das0Linh Le1Vladyslava Sokolova2James D. Orth3Soyeon Park4MCDB Department, University of Colorado BoulderMCDB Department, University of Colorado BoulderMCDB Department, University of Colorado BoulderMCDB Department, University of Colorado BoulderMCDB Department, University of Colorado BoulderAbstract Cellular protein degradation requires a complex molecular machine, the proteasome. To mitigate the fundamental challenge of assembling the 66-subunit proteasome, cells utilize dedicated chaperones to order subunit addition. However, recent evidence suggests that proteasome assembly is not simply a series of subunit additions, but each step may be scrutinized so that only correct assembly events advance to proteasomes. Here, we find an unexpected mechanism of quality control (QC) during proteasome assembly—via the proteasomal nuclear localization signal (NLS). This mechanism specifically sequesters defective assembly intermediates to the nucleus, away from ongoing assembly in the cytoplasm, thereby antagonizing defective proteasome formation. This NLS, a bona fide proteasomal component, provides continuous surveillance throughout proteasome assembly. Even a single incorrect event activates spatial QC. Our findings illuminate a two-decade-old mystery in proteasome regulation; proteasomal NLSs, dispensable for proteasome localization, instead provide QC by compartmentalizing assembly defects to ensure that only correct proteasomes form.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-58703-8
spellingShingle Eshita Das
Linh Le
Vladyslava Sokolova
James D. Orth
Soyeon Park
Spatial mechanisms of quality control during chaperone-mediated assembly of the proteasome
Nature Communications
title Spatial mechanisms of quality control during chaperone-mediated assembly of the proteasome
title_full Spatial mechanisms of quality control during chaperone-mediated assembly of the proteasome
title_fullStr Spatial mechanisms of quality control during chaperone-mediated assembly of the proteasome
title_full_unstemmed Spatial mechanisms of quality control during chaperone-mediated assembly of the proteasome
title_short Spatial mechanisms of quality control during chaperone-mediated assembly of the proteasome
title_sort spatial mechanisms of quality control during chaperone mediated assembly of the proteasome
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-58703-8
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