The proteostasis network consists of several components, including molecular chaperones, the ubiquitin-proteasome system, and autophagy pathways. Molecular chaperones assist in the proper folding of newly synthesized polypeptides and the refolding or degradation of misfolded proteins. The ubiquitin-proteasome system tags damaged or unnecessary proteins with ubiquitin for degradation. Autophagy, a lysosome-dependent process, degrades long-lived proteins and organelles, thereby maintaining cellular homeostasis.
