Roles of molecular chaperones in protein misfolding diseases

José M. Barral, Sarah A. Broadley, Gregor Schaffar, F. Ulrich Hartl

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

256 Scopus citations

Abstract

Human misfolding diseases result from the failure of proteins to reach their active state or from the accumulation of aberrantly folded proteins. The mechanisms by which molecular chaperones influence the development of these diseases is beginning to be understood. Mutations that compromise the activity of chaperones lead to several rare syndromes. In contrast, the more frequent amyloid-related neurodegenerative diseases are caused by a gain of toxic function of misfolded proteins. Toxicity in these disorders may result from an imbalance between normal chaperone capacity and production of dangerous protein species. Increased chaperone expression can suppress the neurotoxicity of these molecules, suggesting possible therapeutic strategies.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)17-29
Number of pages13
JournalSeminars in Cell and Developmental Biology
Volume15
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Feb 2004
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Amyloid
  • Misfolding diseases
  • Molecular chaperones
  • Polyglutamine diseases
  • Ubiquitin-proteasome system

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Developmental Biology
  • Cell Biology

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