Proteolysis involves the breakdown of proteins into smaller polypeptides or amino acids through the hydrolysis of peptide bonds by a protease. This represents a remarkably significant, but often underappreciated, post-translational modification (PTM)1 in that is it irreversible yet also ubiquitous.
Is proteolysis cleavage a post-translational modification?
Proteolytic processing is a major form of post translational modification which occurs when a protease cleaves one or more bonds in a target protein to modify its activity.
What is an example of a post-translational modification of a protein?
Post-translational modification can occur at any step in the "life cycle" of a protein. For example, many proteins are modified shortly after translation is completed to mediate proper protein folding or stability or to direct the nascent protein to distinct cellular compartments (e.g., nucleus, membrane).
