Proteasome Activator Subunit 1 (PSME1), also known as PA28α, is a crucial component of the proteasome complex, which plays a significant role in protein degradation within cells. This article delves into the background of PSME1, its functions, and the relevance of mouse anti-human antibodies targeting this subunit.
The proteasome is a multicatalytic proteinase complex responsible for degrading unneeded or damaged proteins by proteolysis, a chemical reaction that breaks peptide bonds. The 26S proteasome consists of a 20S core and a 19S regulator. The 20S core is composed of four rings of 28 non-identical subunits, while the 19S regulator is composed of a base and a lid .
PSME1 encodes the alpha subunit of the 11S regulator, also known as PA28α. This subunit is part of the immunoproteasome, a modified proteasome involved in processing class I MHC peptides. The immunoproteasome contains an alternate regulator, the 11S regulator or PA28, which replaces the 19S regulator. The 11S regulator is composed of three alpha and three beta subunits forming a heterohexameric ring .
Research has shown that the expression of PSME1 is elevated in primary and metastatic human prostate cancer. This makes PSME1 a potential target for cancer therapy. Studies have demonstrated that antibodies against PSME1 can selectively localize to tumor sites, highlighting its potential as a therapeutic target .