The C-degron pathway eliminates mislocalized proteins and products of deubiquitinating enzymes

Protein termini are determinants of protein stability. Proteins bearing degradation signals, or degrons, at their amino- or carboxyl-termini are eliminated by the N- or C-degron pathways, respectively. We aimed to elucidate the function of C-degron pathways and to unveil how normal proteomes are exempt from C-degron pathway-mediated destruction. Our data reveal that C-degron pathways remove mislocalized cellular proteins and cleavage products of deubiquitinating enzymes. Furthermore, the C-degron and N-degron pathways cooperate in protein removal. Proteome analysis revealed a shortfall in normal proteins targeted by C-degron pathways, but not of defective proteins, suggesting proteolysis-based immunity as a constraint for protein evolution/selection. Our work highlights the importance of protein termini for protein quality surveillance, and the relationship between the functional proteome and protein degradation pathways.

Automated summary

The study elucidates the function of C-degron pathways in removing mislocalized cellular proteins and cleavage products of deubiquitinating enzymes. It also shows that normal proteins targeted by C-degron pathways experience a shortfall, highlighting proteolysis-based immunity as a constraint for protein evolution/selection. The cooperation between C-degron and N-degron pathways in protein removal is also emphasized.