The proteasome is a multicatalytic proteinase complex which is characterized by its ability to cleave peptides with Arg, Phe, Tyr, Leu, and Glu adjacent to the leaving group at neutral or slightly basic pH. The proteasome has an ATP-dependent proteolytic activity. This unit is responsible of the trypsin-like activity.The proteasome represents a large protein complex that exists inside all eukaryotes and archaea, and in some bacteria. The main function of proteasomes is to degrade unnecessary or damaged proteins by proteolysis. The most common form of the proteasome, known as the 26S Proteasome, contains one 20S Proteasome core particle structure and two 19S regulatory caps. The 20S Proteasome core is hollow and forms an enclosed cavity, where proteins are degraded, as well as openings at the two ends to allow the target protein to enter. The 20S Proteasome core particle contains many subunits, depending on the organism.
